The relationship between functional status and inflammatory disease in older adults.

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Abstract
DECLINE in functional status is a profound predictor of morbidity and mortality, as previously pointed out in an editorial in the Journal (1). Decline in functional status during a hospitalization is a major predictor of risk for nursing home placement (2,3), subsequent acute illness (4), and declining quality of life (5). Functionally impaired nursing home residents tend to become more functionally impaired over time and have a higher death rate. Frailty is related to loss of instrumental activities of daily living and sarcopenia (loss of muscle mass) is strongly related to frailty and functional decline (6–9). A series of articles in the Journal suggested that loss of mobility and a decline in walking speed is related to the development of frailty (10–17).