Intrinsic capacity declines and fall risk among older adults: an integrated care for older people-based assessment at an urban health training centre in Western Maharashtra

Authors

  • Sakshi Sharma Department of Community Medicine, AFMC, Pune, Maharashtra, India
  • Indranil Samanta Station Health Organisation, Delhi Cantt, Delhi, India
  • Kunal Chatterjee Department of Community Medicine, AFMC, Pune, Maharashtra, India
  • Akshay Misra Department of Hospital Administration, AFMC Pune, Maharashtra, India
  • Saurabh Mahajan Station Health Organisation, Shakurbasti, SHO, Delhi, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20254249

Keywords:

Intrinsic capacity, ICOPE, Elderly, UHTC, Healthy ageing, Screening, Functional decline, Maharashtra

Abstract

Background: Intrinsic capacity (IC), defined by the world health organization (WHO) as a composite of all physical and mental capacities of an individual, is central to healthy ageing. The WHO integrated care for older people (ICOPE) step 1 screening tool is a rapid, feasible approach to detect early declines in locomotion, cognition, vitality, sensory function and psychological well-being. Indian evidence from primary care settings, especially urban health training centres (UHTCs), remains limited. To assess the prevalence of IC declines using the WHO ICOPE Step 1 tool among older adults attending an UHTC in Pune, and to determine associated factors.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 120 older adults (≥60 years) attending the UHTC in Pune. Consecutive sampling was used. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire including socio-demographic factors, chronic diseases, falls, functional ability and the WHO ICOPE Step 1 screening tool.

Results: The mean age of participants was 68.9±6.4 years; 54.2% were female. IC decline was present in 72.5% of older adults. Domain-wise declines were: sensory (52.5%), locomotion (48.3%), psychological (35%), cognition (31.7%) and vitality (28.3%). Age ≥70 years (OR 2.1; p=0.04), multimorbidity (OR 2.3; p=0.03) and ≥1 fall in past year (OR 3.0; p=0.01) were significantly associated with IC decline. ADL/IADL dependence was reported in 41.6% of those with declines.

Conclusions: IC decline is highly prevalent among older adults attending the UHTC in Pune. The ICOPE step 1 tool is practical and effective for community and primary care screening.

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Published

2025-12-26

How to Cite

Sharma, S., Samanta, I., Chatterjee, K., Misra, A., & Mahajan, S. (2025). Intrinsic capacity declines and fall risk among older adults: an integrated care for older people-based assessment at an urban health training centre in Western Maharashtra. International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health, 13(1), 143–149. https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20254249

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Original Research Articles