Frailty in the elderly living in the community with and without prior cerebrovascular disease

Abstract

ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of frailty in elderly people living in the community with and without cerebrovascular disease (CVD) and describe the main sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of these patients. Material and methodDescriptive and cross-sectional study carried out between January and July 2016 in elderly people living in two specific areas of northern Portugal. Data were collected using a sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire. The existence of previous CVD was evaluated through an initial assessment and application of the Charlson Comorbidity Index. Frailty was assessed using the criteria of phenotypic methodology. ResultsA total of 435 participants, aged >65 years (mean=74.3 years), mostly women (62.3%), were studied. Six point nine percent of the elderly people had a history of CVD. The prevalence of frailty syndrome was 60.0% in the elderly people with a history of CVD, and 20.5% in the other cases (p<0.05). Statistically significant relationships (p<0.05) were found between CVD and vision problems, fear of falling, hospitalisations in the last year, use of walking aids and perception of health status. ConclusionMost of the elderly with a history of CVD were frail. According to the phenotypic theory, frailty is a state that precedes total dependence. The diagnosis and management of frailty may help to prevent adverse events that precipitate the institutionalisation of the elderly with CVD.