Acceso usuarios
Mafalda Gomes Duarte, Inácio Guinaldo Martín, Constança Paúl
Background: The Phenotype of Frailty is a syndrome composed of five criteria: weight loss, endurance, physical activity, slowness and weakness. The elder is considered frail if he/she has an impairment in three of these domains. It is known that this condition enhances the risk of disability and death. The objective of this study is to identify predictive and protective factors of frailty. Methods: This study includes a representative sample, stratified by age group, of elders living in the community (n=339). We developed a frailty protocol, which integrated the criteria of frailty and bio behavioural, geriatric, functionality, health and mental health selfperception indicators. Results: From the analysis of logistic regression models the demographic predictors are:
gender (being a woman) (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1,0 - 2,8), age (more advanced) (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.6 - 4.9) and educational level (no schooling) (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.1 – 6.0). The bio behavioural variables and the low respiratory flow predict the condition of frailty (OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.9 – 6.0). Geriatric indicators as falls (OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.5 - 5.6), changes in sensory processes, vision and hearing (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.2 -3. 8; OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.1 - 4.0 respectively) and the presence of at least one comorbidity (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.0 - 3.2) are predictors of frailty. Impairment in ADL increases the risk of frailty (OR 2,1, 95% IC 1.2 -3.5). The presence of depressive symptomatology (OR 4.2, 95% IC 1.9-9.2) and cognitive deterioration (OR 2.9, 95% IC 1.6 -5.3) are equally predictive of this condition. On the other hand, maintaining social relations (OR 0.3, 95% IC 0.1-0.5) and a good health self-perception are protective of the condition of frailty (OR 0.4, 95% IC 0.1-0.9). Conclusions: Frailty can be predicted through a set of psychosocial and geriatric factors. Protective indicators such as social relations and subjective health act as protective factors of frailty.
