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Introduction: Peripheral artery disease (PAD) affects 10-15% of people age 65 and older, and the prevalence is expected to rise as the population ages. People with PAD have greater functional impairment and faster decline in walking performance than people without PAD.

Objectives: To determine the association between 1-year change in walking performance and mobility loss. We hypothesized that greater declines in walking performance over one year would be associated with higher rates of mobility loss.

Methods: Participants underwent measurement of 6-minute walk and 4-meter walking velocity at baseline, and returned yearly for repeat measurement of walking performance and assessment of mobility. Participants were categorized into tertiles based on their 1-year change in walking performance (Tertile 1: greatest decline). Mobility loss was defined as becoming newly unable to walk one-quarter mile or …