Table 3.
Comparison of aspects of health between very old people reporting having Parkinson's disease (PD) (n = 20) and controls not reporting having PD (n = 60).
| PD, n = 20 | Controls, n = 60 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| n | % | n | % | P valuea | |
| ADL Staircase itemb | |||||
| (1) Feeding | 7/20 | 35 | 2/60 | 3 | 0.001 |
| (2) Transfer | 10/20 | 50 | 13/60 | 22 | 0.047 |
| (3) Toileting | 7/20 | 35 | 3/60 | 5 | 0.003 |
| (4) Dressing | 10/20 | 50 | 15/60 | 25 | 0.074 |
| (5) Bathing | 14/20 | 70 | 23/60 | 38 | 0.017 |
| (6) Cooking | 12/20 | 60 | 15/60 | 25 | 0.017 |
| (7) Transportation | 14/18 | 78 | 21/53 | 40 | 0.017 |
| (8) Shopping | 16/19 | 84 | 29/57 | 51 | 0.035 |
| (9) Cleaning | 17/19 | 90 | 41/57 | 72 | 0.206 |
| Personal ADL (items 1–5)b,c | 6/20 | 30 | 0/60 | 0 | <0.001 |
| Instrumental ADL (items 6–9)b,c | 9/18 | 50 | 9/53 | 17 | 0.011 |
| Dependence on walking aids (HE) | 10/20 | 50 | 12/60 | 20 | 0.018 |
|
| |||||
| Median (q1–q3) | Median (q1–q3) | ||||
|
| |||||
| Self-rated functional independenced | 5 (5–7) | 8 (7–10) | <0.001 |
||
| Number of functional limitations (HE)e | 5 (4–7) | 2 (1–4) | <0.001 |
||
| Depression (GDS)f | 6.5 (3.1–9.8) | 4 (2.1–6.9) | 0.048 |
||
aDichotomous variables were compared using the Mantel-Haenszel test, with continuity correction. Sum-scores/ordinal variables were compared using a version of Wilcoxon signed rank test extended to include multiple controls.
bAssessed as dependent or partly dependent, or reporting having difficulties.
cThe results refer to being dependent or reporting having difficulties in all personal or instrumental ADLs, respectively.
dHigher scores are “better,” that is, more independent.
eIn both samples, the three most common functional limitations were reduced spine and/or lower extremity function, loss of stamina, and prevalence of poor balance.
fHigher scores are “worse,” that is, more depression.
ADL: Activities of Daily Living; HE: Housing Enabler; GDS: Geriatric Depression Scale.