Affirmative answers on loco-check as a predictor of health-related quality of life and locomotive syndrome progression in the elderly: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objectives: To clarify the correlation between locomotive syndrome (LS) stages and the loco-check or health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and whether the loco-check can predict HRQoL and LS stages.

Methods: Overall, 298 subjects (106 men, 192 women) were evaluated for LS and HRQoL using EuroQoL-5 dimensions (EQ-5D) and the EuroQoL-visual analog scale (EQ-VAS). The correlation between LS stages and HRQoL using EQ-5D and EQ-5D-VAS scores and the number of affirmative answers on the loco-check were evaluated.

Results: The numbers of non-LS, Stage 1 LS, and Stage 2 LS subjects were 143, 130, and 25, respectively. EQ-5D and EQ-5D-VAS scores decreased from non-LS to Stage 2 LS. EQ-5D and EQ-5D-VAS scores in LS Stage 2 subjects were significantly lower. The number of affirmative answers on the loco-check increased from non-LS to Stage 2. Two affirmative answers on the loco-check was the cut-off to detect Stage 2 LS. The number of affirmative answers on the loco-check was significantly negatively correlated with HRQoL in elderly subjects.

Conclusion: The number of affirmative answers on the loco-check positively correlated with LS stages and negatively correlated with HRQoL. The loco-check might help to predict LS stage and HRQoL, especially in elderly people aged over 65 years.

Keywords:

• EQ-5D
• EQ-VAS
• HRQoL
• locomotive syndrome
• loco-check

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Tetsuro Kitamura and Ryota Inoue for their technical assistance with the physical tests.

Conflict of interest

None.