Life-course trajectories and modifiable risk factors for incident walking limitation and mortality in 25 high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries (PURE): a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND: Life expectancy is increasing globally, but if people are to age healthily, they must do so with fewer limitations in their daily activities. However, information on either the frequency or risk factors for limitations to walking ability or other key activities across different regions of the world is limited. Our aim was to describe the incidence, trajectories, risk factors, and population-attributable fraction of new-onset walking limitations in 25 countries at all socioeconomic levels. METHODS: PURE is an ongoing, prospective cohort study. The current analysis included community-dwelling participants who lived in four high-income countries (HICs), 16 middle-income countries (MICs), and five low-income countries (LICs). Individuals aged 35-70 years at baseline who completed a baseline questionnaire about activity limitations between Jan…