An assessment of age-related physiological decline (ARPD) in the elderly: An observational study in a tertiary care center in Eastern Odisha

Introduction: Aging is associated with progressive physiological decline leading to functional impairment in activities of daily living (ADL). Data on functional disability using standardized tools from Odisha is limited.Aim and Objectives: To assess age-related functional decline using Barthel Index of activities of daily living [Barthel ADL Index] and Lawton-Brody instrumental activities of daily living [IADL] Scale among elderly patients attending a tertiary care hospital in Eastern Odisha.Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional observational study conducted from January 2017 to December 2020 at S.C.B. Medical College, Cuttack. 150 elderly (≥ 60 years) were included (82 males, 68 females) after screening 174. Functional status assessed using Barthel Index (0–20) and Lawton IADL Scale (harmonized 0–7). Chi-square test used, p < 0.05 significant.Results: Participants: 60–69 years 77 (51.3%), 70–79 years 50 (33.3%), ≥ 80 years 23 (15.3%). On Barthel Index, least independent category (7–12) increased from 6.7% males and 18.8% females at 60–69 years to 77.8% males and 80.0% females at ≥ 80 years. Females showed significantly higher dependence in 60–69 and 70–79 groups for both ADL (16–20: 60–69 χ² = 5.84, p = 0.016; 70–79 χ² = 4.52, p = 0.033) and IADL (score 7: 60-69 χ² = 6.21, p = 0.012; 70–79 χ² = 4.91, p = 0.027). No significant gender difference in ≥ 80 group.Conclusion: Both basic ADL, assessed by the Barthel Index, and instrumental ADL, assessed by the Lawton IADL scale, showed a progressive decline with advancing age. Both scales are useful for assessing functional disability in the elderly, but the Lawton IADL scale needs a gender-neutral adaptation for use in the Indian context.