Impact of musculoskeletal conditions among those in residential aged care in Australia.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE\nTo determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal conditions, co-morbidity and functional limitations in older people in residential aged care in Australia and the association of musculoskeletal conditions with mortality.\n\n\nMETHODS\nA retrospective cohort study using data from 490\xa0325 people in the Registry of Senior Australians was conducted between 2004 and 2014. The association of co-morbidity, health risk factors and functional limitations with musculoskeletal conditions was evaluated using logistic regression. Cox regression was used to examine the association with mortality.\n\n\nRESULTS\nOverall, 40.2% [95% CI 40.1-40.4]) of residents had a musculoskeletal condition, which was associated with limited social (OR 1.16 [95% CI 1.14-1.19]) and domestic activities (OR 1.44 [95% CI 1.39-1.49]). Residents with musculoskeletal conditions had a 15% lower risk of mortality (aHR 0.85 [95% CI 0.85-0.86], P\xa0<\xa00.001) compared to residents without.\n\n\nCONCLUSION\nThe presence of musculoskeletal conditions in older people in residential aged care negatively impacts activities of daily living and quality of life rather than mortality.