Factors associated with life-space mobility in older adults with chronic respiratory disease: IMIAS study

Introduction Life space mobility (LSM) reflects overall function, and a reduction in LSM can limit activity, participation, and quality of life in older adults with chronic respiratory diseases (CRD). Existing research has not fully addressed factors associated with LSM. This study examined demographic, clinical, financial, social, and environmental factors associated with LSM in older adults living with CRD and compared characteristics of those with restricted versus unrestricted LSM. Method Participants completed the Life-Space Assessment (LSA) as the primary outcome, along with questionnaires collecting demographic, financial, social, environmental, and clinical data. LSA scores ranged from 0–120, with a cutoff of ≤ 60 used to identify restricted LSM. LSM groups (restricted vs unrestricted) were contrasted using chi-square tests and t-tests. Factors associated with LSM were analyzed using both simple linear and multiple linear. Results Among 223 CRD participants (103 restricted LSM, 120 unrestricted), groups differed in demographics (study site, sex, and education), all financial variables ( p < 0.05), and clinical variables, including depression, visual acuity, cognition, fear of falling, physical function, self-rated health, and grip strength ( p < 0.05). Adjusted regression showed sex, self-rated health, vision, and physical performance significantly predicting LSM ( p < 0.05). Conclusion LSM is a multifactorial factor associated with socio-demographic and functional factors in older adults with CRD.