Frailty, Physical Fitness and Quality of Life: a comparison between Physically Frail and Robust Older Women

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to compare physical fitness, quality of life and domains of frailty between physically frail and robust older women, whose was classified by the physical domain from Kihon Checklist.
 Method: One hundred and thirty-two community-dwelling older women participated in the study (68.5 ± 6.1 years). Data were collected through questionnaires (sociodemographic, Kihon Checklist, Short Form-8 items) and physical and functional tests.
 Results: Most frail older women lived alone (P<0.01), had lower frequency of leaving home weekly (P<0.03) and reported a greater history of fall events compared to the robust ones (P<0.01). In addition, physically frail older women presented lower performance in handgrip strength, walking speed usual and maximum, and Timed Up and Go. In addition, they had worst results in other domains of frailty (i.e., instrumental activities of daily living, oral condition, socialization, cognition) as well as a lower quality of life. Older women leaving home in a lower frequency and living alone may present an increase of emotional issues and, occasionally, a decrease of the quality of life.
 Conclusion: Physical frail older women leaving home less present lower muscle strength and power and, a combination of frailties besides the physical one.