Abstract: Objective To investigate both the prevalence of functional disability in each activity of basic activities of daily living (ADL) item and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) item scales, then the association between each ADL and IADL item and the self-rated health was also explored among the elderly in Beijing. Methods The sample population consisted of 2 411 elderly people over 60, which were taken samples from urban and rural district in Beijing by stratified cluster sampling method. The investigations were completed by trained staff using questionnaires concerning demographic characteristics, living conditions and health status, and activities of daily living. Results In which interviewed, 6.38 percent and 40.21 percent of the subjects regarded themselves to be in very good and good health respectively, while 17.26 percent and 2.01 percent in poor health and very poor health. The dependence rates of basic ADLs and instrumental ADLs (IADLs) among the rural elderly were higher than that of urban elderly. For some items, as bathing, transport, shopping, walking 250 meters, cut own's toenails and up/down one floor, The dependence rates of female elderly were significantly higher than that of male elderly. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that items of both basic ADLs and instrumental IADLs were independently associated factors of self-rated health. Feeding (odds rate=7.51, 95% confidence interval:3.55-15.89) and Chair/bed transfers (odds rate=7.36; 95% confidence interval:4.29-12.64) were the leading items correlated with self-rated health. Conclusion Functional disability of daily living activities had significant effect on self-rated health among the elderly.

Key words: elderly, activities of daily living, self-rated health