Prevalence of Functional Disability and Associated Factors among the Elderly Population Attending the Outpatient Department of a Tertiary Care Center in North India

Abstract Background: Functional disability is a significant cause of morbidity and a key determinant of quality of life among older adults. While national survey data are available, evidence from hospital-attending elderly populations in North India remains limited.

Methods

This cross-sectional study enrolled 395 elderly individuals (age >60 years) attending the Medicine and Geriatric outpatient departments of a tertiary care hospital in New Delhi (May–June 2023). Functional disability was assessed using the 12-item WHO Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0) (simple scoring; cut-off >10; range 0–48) and frailty using the Edmonton Frailty Scale (cut-off >5, encompassing vulnerable [6–7] and frail [≥8] categories). Physical activity was assessed using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression with purposeful selection identified independent predictors of disability.