The Challenge of Maintaining Successful Aging at 87 Years Old: The Octabaix Study Two-Year Follow-Up Francesc Formiga, 1,3 Assumpta Ferrer, 2 Jesus Alburquerque, 4 Manuel Ferna ´ ndez-Quevedo, 1 Cristina Royo, 1 and Ramo ´ n Pujol 1,3 on behalf of the Octabaix Study Members * Abstract Preserving physical and cognitive function is crucial to successful aging. The objective of this study is to determine how many 87-year-old community-dwelling subjects continued to age successfully, according to a definition using a quantitative approach, and to assess the predictive value of certain factors evaluated 2 years previously. A total of 162 participants were assessed. Sociodemographic variables, the Barthel Index (BI), the Spanish version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MEC), the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), the Charlson Index, the Gait Rating Scale, social risk, quality of life, prevalent chronic diseases, and chronic drug prescription were collected. All subjects with scores over 90 points on the BI and above 23 points on the MEC were compared with the rest of the participants. A multiple regression analysis was performed. With the selected criteria, 90 (61.6%) community-dwelling subjects continued to age successfully. The multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the following were significantly associated with continued successful aging: A higher level of studies ( p < 0.02, odds ratio [OR] 3.223, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.158–8.975), better MEC scores ( p < 0.01, OR 1.204, 95% CI 1.046–1.386) and Tinetti gait scale scores ( p < 0.01, OR 1.433, 95% CI 1.013–2.027), and fewer chronic drug prescriptions ( p < 0.001, OR 0.768, 95% CI 0.655–0.899). In conclusion, more than half of the individuals continued to age successfully. In subjects aged 87 years, the factors associated with continued successful aging were longer schooling, better cognition scores, lower risk of falls, and fewer chronic drug prescriptions at baseline evaluation. Introduction I n developed countries, the average life span of men and women continues to increase, and consequently the oldest old is a growing population segment. 1 To reduce the burden and enhance the benefits associated with an aging popula- tion, research responses to the factors that favor any decrease in age-disease disability are very important. The goal is to reach old age with the maximum health status. In the last few decades, the concept of successful aging has gained importance in medical sciences. As a result, a variety of definitions encompassing physical, functional, psychological, and social health have been reported. 2–6 Previously, we evaluated a nonagenarian cohort in our area (the Nonasantfeliu study) 7,8 to assess possible differences be- tween subjects who were aging successfully. Successful aging was defined by good functional and cognitive status and living in the community, among other factors. We concluded that male nonagenarians with low co-morbidity are probably more successful than female nonagenarians with high co-morbidity. 7 In a subsequent study of the Octabaix cohort (328 subjects aged 85 years), we found that almost half of the participants were aging successfully (49.3%), according to the quantita- tive definition chosen. Subjects aged 85 years with low co- morbidity and a minor risk of malnutrition and falls were associated with more successful aging. 9 1 Geriatric Unit, Internal Medicine Service, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain. 2 Centro de Atencio ´n Primaria ‘‘El Pla `’’ CAP, Sant Feliu de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain. 3 Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute, IDIBELL, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain. 4 ICASS-Reside `ncia Feixa Llarga, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona. *Members of the Octabaix Study: J. Almeda (Unitat de Suport a la Recerca de Costa de Ponent, IDIAP J Gol); T. Badia (ABS Martorell Urbano); A. Lobato (ABS Sant Andreu de la Barca); C. Ferna ´ndez (CAP Rambla); A. Ferrer (CAP El Pla); F. Formiga (UFISS de Geriatrı ´a, Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge); A. Gil (ABS Sant Andreu de la Barca); M.J. Megido (ABS Just Oliveras); G. Padro ´ s (Laboratori Clı ´nic L’Hospitalet-Cornella ` ); M. Sarro ´ (CAP Florida Nord); and A. Tobella (ABS Martorell Rural). REJUVENATION RESEARCH Volume 15, Number 6, 2012 ª Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. DOI: 10.1089/rej.2012.1343 584 Downloaded by Universitat de Barcelona CRAI from www.liebertpub.com at 03/23/21. For personal use only.