Key result
Abnormal pulse pressure is linked to ~15% higher odds of slow gait speed.
Why the study?
The study sought to examine the associations of pulse pressure and mean arterial pressure with physical function in older Americans.
Are abnormalities in pulse pressure and mean arterial pressure associated with impaired physical function (weakness, slow gait speed, and poorer standing balance) in older Americans aged ≥65 years?
Cross-Sectional (n=10,478)
Yes
Are abnormalities in pulse pressure and mean arterial pressure associated with impaired physical function (weakness, slow gait speed, and poorer standing balance) in older Americans aged ≥65 years?
Abnormalities in routinely obtainable pulse pressure and mean arterial pressure are associated with slower gait speed, poorer balance, and altered grip strength in older adults, supporting their potential utility in clinical mobility and fall risk assessments.
Abnormal pulse pressure may flag mobility impairment risk in older adults; leaves open whether it predicts decline or merits intervention in prospective studies.
BACKGROUND: We sought to examine the associations of pulse pressure (PP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) on physical function in older Americans. METHODS: Our analytic sample included 10,478 adults aged ≥65 years from the 2006-2016 Health and Retirement Study. Handgrip strength, gait speed, and standing balance were collected using relatively standard protocols. PP and MAP were calculated from blood pressure measurements. RESULTS: Older Americans with any abnormality in PP had 1.15 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05-1.25) greater odds for slowness and 1.14 (CI: 1.05-1.24) greater odds for poorer standing balance. Persons with any abnormality in MAP had 0.90 (CI: 0.82-0.98) decreased odds for weakness and 1.10 (CI: 1.01-1.20) greater odds for poorer standing balance. Those with low PP had 1.19 (CI: 1.03-1.36) greater odds for slow gait speed, while persons with low MAP had 1.50 (CI: 1.09-2.05) greater odds for weakness and 1.45 (CI: 1.03-2.04) greater odds for slowness. Older Americans with high PP had 1.13 (CI: 1.03-1.25) greater odds for slowness and 1.21 (CI: 1.10-1.32) greater odds for poorer balance, whereas those with high MAP had 0.87 (CI: 0.80-0.95) decreased odds for weakness. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiovascular dysfunction, as observed by PP and MAP, may help to explain some of our findings.
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Pleiss et al. (2023) conducted a cross-sectional in Physical function decline (weakness, slowness, poorer standing balance) in older adults (n=10,478). Abnormal pulse pressure (<40 or >60 mmHg) and abnormal mean arterial pressure (<70 or >100 mmHg) vs. Normal pulse pressure (40-60 mmHg) and normal mean arterial pressure (70-100 mmHg) was evaluated on Slow gait speed (<0.8 m/s) in participants with any pulse pressure abnormality (<40 or >60 mmHg) (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.05-1.25). Abnormal pulse pressure was associated with 15% higher odds of slow gait speed (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.05-1.25) and 14% higher odds of poorer standing balance (OR 1.14) in older Americans.
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