Frailty in Elderly Patients in Romania
Author Information
Author(s): Avram Lucreția, Ungureanu Marius I., Crişan Dana, Donca Valer
Primary Institution: Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy
Hypothesis
This study aims to assess the prevalence of frailty among older adults in Romania and explore its relationship with socioeconomic factors.
Conclusion
The study provides data on frailty prevalence in the north-western region of Romania, highlighting significant socioeconomic disparities among elderly patients.
Supporting Evidence
- The prevalence of frailty in the sample ranged from 55% to 79%, depending on the scale used.
- Frail patients were more likely to have a low socioeconomic status.
- Women were, on average, less educated and received smaller pensions than men.
- Frail patients tended to be older and had lower pensions than non-frail patients.
Takeaway
The study found that many older people in Romania are frail, which means they are more vulnerable to health problems, especially if they have low income or education.
Methodology
A cross-sectional study using quantitative data from hospitalized patients, assessing frailty through multiple established scales.
Potential Biases
Selection bias due to the focus on hospitalized patients may skew the findings.
Limitations
The study may not represent the broader elderly population as it only includes hospitalized patients, potentially leading to selection bias.
Participant Demographics
Patients aged 55 years and older, with a significant portion being women and a large variability in age and socioeconomic status.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Confidence Interval
95% CI: 54.3–78.7%
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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