600 Section - Aging with Disability Among Korean Polio Survivors: Long-Term Trends in Daily Living Function and Economic Status, 2008–2023

Tuesday, May 19, 2026

6:00 PM - 7:30 PM PT

Presenting Author/Autor expositor(s)

JH

Ju-Hee Hwang, MS

PhD Student
Seoul National University
Seongnam, Kyonggi-do, Republic of Korea

Corresponding Author/Autor a quien dirigir la corr(s)

GS

Ga-Yang Shim, MD

Professor
Kyung Hee University Hospital, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine
Seoul, Seoul-t'ukpyolsi, Republic of Korea
Jae-Young Lim, MD, PhD

Professor
Seoul National University Bundang Hospital
Seongnam, Kyonggi-do, Republic of Korea

Objectives : This study aimed to examine long-term trends in economic status and daily living function among Korean polio survivors, in order to identify the characteristics and support needs of individuals aging with long-term disabilities.

Design: This study analyzed data from 984 polio survivors across six waves (2008–2023) of the Korean Disability Survey. Variables included demographic characteristics, economic indicators, and ADL/IADL function. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used to assess year-to-year distributional differences, and wave-based logistic regression was applied to evaluate temporal trends in functional change. In addition, mediation analysis was conducted to test the pathway through which aging leads to functional dependence via economic deterioration.

Results: During the study period, as polio survivors aged, household earned income declined significantly (β = –2.46, p < 0.001), and ADL/IADL functioning showed a worsening trend across survey waves. In adjusted logistic regression analyses, the likelihood of requiring assistance increased significantly with each additional survey wave for key functional domains, including dressing (OR = 1.28, 95% CI 1.08–1.51), bathing (OR = 1.22, 95% CI 1.06–1.40), toileting (OR = 1.59, 95% CI 1.20–2.18). Mediation analysis further indicated that approximately 52% of the effect of aging on increased functional dependence was mediated through reductions in household earned income (ACME p < 0.001).

Conclusion: From 2008 to 2023, Korean polio survivors exhibited a clear pattern of progressive aging accompanied by declining economic status and increasing dependence in ADL/IADL. Economic deterioration emerged as a key mechanism linking aging to functional decline, demonstrating that polio survivors follow a characteristic “aging with disability” trajectory. These findings underscore the need for sustained, long-term policy interventions aimed at mitigating the economic and functional vulnerabilities faced by older adults living with lifelong disabilities.