Is car use related with successful ageing of older adults ? Results from the multi-national MEDIS study

Purpose: The aim of the present work was to evaluate the relation between car use and the level of successful ageing of a random sample of older adults living in the Mediterranean basin. Methods: During 2005-2011, 2749 older (aged 65-100 years) from 22 Mediterranean islands and the rural Mani region (Peloponnesus) of Greece were voluntarily enrolled in the MEDIS cross-sectional study. Sociodemographics, medical conditions, dietary and lifestyle habits, were derived throughout standard procedures. Car use was recorded with a standard binary question. A successful ageing index ranging from 0 to 10 was used. Results: Older adults that used a car on regular basis had significantly higher levels of successful ageing, as well as less prevalence of obesity and hypertension while were more physically active (p<0.001). After adjusting for several confounders car use was still positively related with elderly islander ́s successful ageing level [beta-coefficient (95% CI): 0.65 (0.54 to 0.77)]. Conclusions: In conclusion, the activity of car use seems to be an indicator of quality of life among older adults, as measured through successful ageing.