RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Association between lung function and disability in African–Americans
JF Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health
JO J Epidemiol Community Health
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP 541
OP 545
DO 10.1136/jech.2008.084418
VO 63
IS 7
A1 Thorpe, R J
A1 Szanton, S L
A1 Whitfield, K
YR 2009
UL http://jech.bmj.com/content/63/7/541.abstract
AB Background: Impaired lung function is independently associated with higher rates of disability; however, few studies have examined the extent to which this relationship varies by sex. Because men are less likely to have disability, it is expected that the relationship between lung function and disability will be greater among women.Methods: Logistic regression models were specified to examine the relationship between lung function and disability in 689 African–American men and women participating in the Carolina African American Twin Study of Aging. Disability was defined as difficulty in performing at least one of seven basic activities of daily living. Impaired lung function was defined as per cent of predicted peak expiratory flow (PEF) <80.Results: Accounting for demographic and health-related characteristics, women who had impaired lung function had a higher odds (OR 1.77; 95% CI 1.02 to 3.06) of being disabled than those with normal lung function. Impaired lung function was unrelated to disability in men.Conclusion: Lung function appears to vary by sex in this sample of African–Americans. Furthermore, among women, lung function should be considered as an important indicator of health. Every effort should be made to improve lung function in African–Americans, but interventions and health promoting strategies may need to be sex specific.