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BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2016

Open Access 01-12-2016 | Research article

Midlife work ability and mobility limitation in old age among non-disability and disability retirees - a prospective study

Authors: Monika E. von Bonsdorff, Taina Rantanen, Timo Törmäkangas, Jenni Kulmala, Timo Hinrichs, Jorma Seitsamo, Clas-Håkan Nygård, Juhani Ilmarinen, Mikaela B. von Bonsdorff

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2016

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Abstract

Background

Little is known about the wellbeing and mobility limitation of older disability retirees. Personal and environmental factors, such as time spent in working life, may either exacerbate or mitigate the onset of mobility limitation in general population.
We aimed to study perceived midlife work ability as a determinant of self-reported mobility limitation in old age among municipal employees who transitioned into non-disability and disability retirement.

Methods

4329 participants of the Finnish Longitudinal Study of Municipal Employees (FLAME) had retired during January 1985 and July 2000. They had data on retirement, perceived work ability in 1985, and self-reported mobility limitation (non-disability retirement n = 2870, men 39 %; and diagnose-specific disability retirement n = 1459, men 48 %). Self-reported mobility was measured in 1985, 1992, 1997 and 2009. The latest score available was used to assess the number of mobility limitation. Work ability was measured by asking the respondents to evaluate their current work ability against their lifetime best in 1985. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) for work ability predicting mobility limitation in non-disability and diagnose-specific disability retirement groups were calculated using Poisson regression models.

Results

The prevalence of mobility limitation for those who transitioned into non-disability retirement (Incidence Rate, IR = 0.45, 95 % CI = 0.44–0.46) was lower compared to those who retired due to disability (IR = 0.65, CI = 0.63–0.66). A one-point increase in the work ability score decreased the risk for having one more mobility limitation among non-disability and all diagnose-specific retirement groups (musculoskeletal disease, cardiovascular disease, mental disorder, and other diseases).

Conclusions

Better midlife work ability may protect from old age mobility limitation among those who retire due to non-disability and disability. Promoting work ability in midlife may lead to more independent, active aging, regardless of type of retirement.
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Metadata
Title
Midlife work ability and mobility limitation in old age among non-disability and disability retirees - a prospective study
Authors
Monika E. von Bonsdorff
Taina Rantanen
Timo Törmäkangas
Jenni Kulmala
Timo Hinrichs
Jorma Seitsamo
Clas-Håkan Nygård
Juhani Ilmarinen
Mikaela B. von Bonsdorff
Publication date
01-12-2016
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-016-2846-y

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