Aim: To investigate the association between homebound status and functional decline over a two-year follow-up period and the sex difference in its association. Methods: The study subjects were 2
956 independently living older individuals (1
267 men: 1
679 women). Homebound were defined as individuals who left home less than once a week.Using a Cox proportional hazard model
we evaluated the association between homebound status and onset of functional dependence. Results: Of the 2
946 subjects
223 (7.6%) were homebound. During the follow-up period
153 subjects became functional dependence. After adjustment for locomotor function
cognitive function
depression state
age and household type
the hazard ratio for onset of functional dependence in association with homebound status remained significantly increased in men (HR
3.12 [95% CI
1.59?6.10])
but not in women (HR
1.43 [95% CI
0.87-2.35]). Conclusions: This study suggests that homebound status is a risk for functional dependence in both men and women. In men
being homebound despite intact functional ability was also a risk for functional dependence.
