RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH FRAILTY STATUS CHANGE: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY IN A GERIATRIC OUTPATIENT SETTING
2024

Risk Factors for Changes in Frailty Status in Older Adults

Sample size: 140 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Wen Chiung-Jung, Lee Chung-Sheng, Huang Wei-Jia, Lin Ching-Huang, Chan Ding-Cheng (Derrick)

Primary Institution: National Taiwan University Hospital

Hypothesis

This study aims to identify the risk factors that lead to changes in frailty status among older adults.

Conclusion

The study found that nearly half of the participants experienced worsening frailty status over a year, with certain factors like falls and dental health influencing these changes.

Supporting Evidence

  • 47.1% of participants experienced a worsening of frailty status over one year.
  • 12.9% of participants showed improvement in frailty status.
  • 40% of participants remained at the same frailty status.
  • More than one fall in the past year was associated with deteriorating frailty status.
  • The absence of teeth correlated with deteriorating frailty status.
  • Higher Mini-Mental State Examination scores were linked to improvements in frailty status.

Takeaway

Older people can get weaker or stronger over time, and things like falling down or not having teeth can make them weaker.

Methodology

Participants were evaluated for frailty status at baseline and during a 1-year follow-up using a modified version of Fried’s criteria.

Participant Demographics

Mean age of participants was 79.5 years.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.005

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1093/geroni/igae098.2771

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