Lifestyle, inflammageing, and poor physical performance in middle-aged and older adults: a prospective cohort study in Taiwan

Abstract

Background and Aims Poor physical performance (PPP) in terms of weakness and slow walking speed is closely associated with frailty during ageing. We aimed to analyse the associations between modifiable lifestyle factors, inflammation markers (hs-CRP, D-dimer, and fibrinogen), and the odds of PPP and state transitions between normal and PPP in older adults. Methods A total of 3756 participants ($\ge$ 55 years) in wave 1 (2009–2013) and wave 2 (2014–2019) of the Healthy Aging Longitudinal Study in Taiwan (HALST) were analysed. A logistic regression model was used to assess the associations between lifestyle factors (physical activity [PA], diet, and psychosocial health), inflammation markers, comorbidities, and PPP (two or more of the criteria: grip strength, 6-minute walking distance, or gait speed among the lowest 20%). Results In total, 229 and 149 of the 773 PPP participants at wave 1 reversed and persistent in PPP state at wave 2, respectively. Higher PA (OR 0.917, 95% CI 0.894–0.941), psychosocial health (OR 0.964, 95% CI 0.955–0.972), LDL-C, and education level had significant protective effects, whereas greater waist circumference, D-dimer, fibrinogen, longer sleeping time, and comorbidities were positively associated with PPP. Higher PA, psychosocial health, and diet scores were protective against conversion to PPP, and increased PA and higher psychosocial health score were significant for reversion. Conclusions Older adults are encouraged to engage in various forms of PA and participate in societal events to increase their physical performance. To avoid further deterioration in physical frailty, screening for PPP may be adopted as a standard clinical practice for older adults.