Relationship between multiple morbidities and performance on the Timed Up and Go test in elderly patients: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective: To investigate how various morbidities affect older patients' performance on the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: The seven government hospitals of Lahore, Pakistan, included are major tertiary care centres, representing an older patient population of Punjab, Pakistan.

Method: 160 elderly participants completed the TUG test, frailty evaluations and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) scoring to assess mobility, frailty and comorbidity burden. The Student's t-test analysed differences between TUG groups (<10 vs ≥10 s). Multivariate linear regression pinpointed key predictors of CCI scores. All analyses were performed using SPSS software.

Results: A total of 160 participants (mean age: 67.2±6.9 years and body mass index (BMI): 28.7±4.9 kg/m²) were included. Those with TUG test times under 10 s had lower CCI scores (5.06±1.8) and frailty index (0.15±0.07), compared with those with longer times (CCI: 8.6±4.3 and frailty index: 0.42±0.1). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that TUG time (β=0.342, p=0.001), frailty index (β=0.680, p=0.003), age (β=0.128, p=0.002) and BMI (β=0.098, p=0.027) were significant predictors of CCI. Additionally, higher Mini-Mental State Examination scores (β=-0.092, p=0.017) were associated with lower comorbidity burden. These results highlight mobility, frailty and cognitive function as a predictors of comorbidities in the elderly.

Conclusion: Our study highlights a significant relationship between mobility, frailty and cognitive function with the comorbidity burden in older adults. Incorporating these metrics into routine care can guide targeted interventions, promoting healthier ageing and improved quality of life.

Keywords: Aged; Cardiovascular Disease; Cross-Sectional Studies; Exercise Test; Multimorbidity.