Timed Up and Go: Reference Values for Community-Dwelling Older Adults with and without Arthritis and Non-Communicable Diseases: The Tromsø Study

Abstract

Purpose

The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test is used to assess a person’s mobility and balance. We aimed to provide updated reference values for TUG performance for the community-dwelling older population according to age and sex, and according to the presence of arthritis and non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Participants and Methods

Cross-sectional data from the seventh wave (2015–2016) of the population-based Norwegian Tromsø Study counting 5400 community-dwelling people (53% women), aged 60–84 years were used. Reference values were presented as percentiles and means for men and women by age at five-year intervals.

Results

Median TUG score was stable during age 60–65 years, and after age 65 years median TUG score increased significantly with age (increase by 0.14 sec per 1 year higher age in both men and women, p<0.001). At the youngest ages (<65 years), in both men and women, there were no differences in TUG performance for those with NCD or arthritis compared to those without these diseases. After age 65 however, those without these diseases performed significantly better (p<0.05) in both men and women.

Conclusion

The present study provided percentile reference values for TUG performance in community-dwelling older adults in Norway by age and sex, and in subgroups of those having arthritis and NCDs. TUG scores increased with age, and performance was significantly poorer among participants with arthritis or NCDs after age 65 years. The findings may guide clinical interventions for individuals with mobility and balance disabilities.

Keywords:

• arthritis
• geriatric assessment
• non-communicable diseases
• physical function
• reference values
• Timed Up and Go

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to the Tromsø research group for conducting this health assessment study and to the participants of the study.

Data Sharing Statement

The data supporting the conclusions of this article are available at www.tromsoundersokelsen.no.

Author Contributions

OES: preparation of manuscript and analysis and interpretation of data. GH: preparation of manuscript and interpretation of data. AB: study design, acquisition of data and subjects, and preparation of the manuscript. BHS: study concept and design, acquisition of subjects and data, analysis and interpretation of data, and preparation of the manuscript. All authors made substantial contributions to conception and design, acquisition of data, or analysis and interpretation of data; took part in drafting the article or revising it critically for important intellectual content; agreed to submit to the current journal; gave final approval of the version to be published; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.