Cohort study reveals intrinsic capacity declines parallel worsening quality of life in older adults, indicating psychological and mobility factors as prime intervention targets.
Key Points
To examine the relationship between intrinsic capacity domains and two-year changes in quality of life among older European adults, highlighting sex and regional disparities.
Analyzed longitudinal survey data from 11,493 adults aged ≥ 50 across 13 European countries in SHARE Waves 5 and 6 (2013–2015).
Assessed five intrinsic capacity domains (mobility, cognition, psychological well-being, sensory function, and vitality) and quality of life (CASP-12) using exploratory factor analysis, network analysis, stratified models, and ANOVA.
Psychological well-being and mobility were most strongly associated with quality of life, with fatigue (r = -0.324, p < 0.001) and depressive symptoms (r = -0.284, p < 0.001) exhibiting negative correlations with CASP-12.
Modest declines in intrinsic capacity paralleled quality of life reductions over two years, with women and adults in Southern and Eastern Europe exhibiting greater functional deficits and lower quality of life.
Cite This Study
Llorens-Ortega et al. (2026) studied this question.