Frailty and Health Care Outcomes in Older Adults
Author Information
Author(s): Cho Jinmyoung, Salas Joanne, Scherrer Jeffery
Primary Institution: Saint Louis University School of Medicine
Hypothesis
The study evaluates the association between frailty and healthcare utilization among older adults.
Conclusion
Frailty significantly increases the risk of adverse healthcare outcomes in older adults, with variations based on demographic characteristics.
Supporting Evidence
- Frailty increases vulnerability for adverse outcomes in older adults.
- The Gilbert Frailty Index was used to categorize patients into risk levels.
- High frailty risk was associated with increased healthcare utilization across various settings.
Takeaway
Older people who are frail are more likely to need more medical help, and this can change depending on their race, age, and gender.
Methodology
A retrospective cohort study using electronic health records from 2018-2022, analyzing 355,266 patients aged 65 and older.
Participant Demographics
The sample was 74.5 years old on average, 57.7% female, 89.2% White, and 13.5% categorized as high risk for frailty.
Statistical Information
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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