Development Of Demi-Span Equations For Predicting Height In Institutionalised Malaysian Elderly

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Date
2012-05
Authors
Ngoh, Hooi Jiun
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Universiti Sains Malaysia
Abstract
Demi-span measurement can be used as an alternative method to predict height for elderly people. However, there is little data on the accuracy of this method to be used in institutionalised Malaysian elderly. Therefore, the objectives of this study were (1) to determine the anthropometric differences among gender, ethnicity and age groups in institutionalised elderly; (2) to develop a demi-span equation for predicting height in institutionalised elderly; (3) to evaluate the accuracy of published demi-span equations derived from younger adults; and (4) to assess the accuracy of the body mass index (BMI) calculated using the predicted height from published demi-span equations and that from the new equation developed in this study. A cross-sectional study was conducted on institutionalised Malaysian elderly aged 60 and older. Subjects were residents of eight shelter homes in Peninsular Malaysia; 205 men and 126 women (331 totals), from Malays, Chinese and Indians ethnic groups were recruited. Measurements of weight, height and demi-span were obtained using standard procedures. Data were analysed using SPSS, version 18.0. Results revealed that anthropometric measurements of the subjects (weight, height, demi-span and body mass index) differ by age and gender (p<0.001), but not ethnicity (p>0.05). The demi-span equations obtained were as follows: for men, height (cm) = 67.51 + (1.29 x demi-span) – (0.12 x age) + 4.13, and for women, height (cm) = 67.51 + (1.29 x demi-span) – (0.12 x age). Bland-Altman agreement analysis demonstrated good agreement between measured height and predicted height from new equations and was valid for BMI assessment.
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Keywords
Demi-span measurement can be used , to predict height for elderly people
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