Abstract
ABSTRACTOBJECTIVE To identify the factors associated with the worsening of frailty in older adults resident in the community.METHODS This is a prospective, longitudinal, and analytical study. The data collection in the baseline occurred in the participants’ homes from a random sampling by conglomerates. Demographic and socioeconomic variables, morbidities, and use of health services were analyzed. Frailty was measured by the Edmonton Frail Scale. The second data collection was performed after an average period of 42 months. The adjusted prevalence ratios were obtained by multiple Poisson regression analysis with robust variance.RESULTS A total of 394 older adults participated in both phases of the study, with 21.8% of them presenting worsening of the frailty condition. The variables that remained statistically associated with the transition to a worse state of frailty were: polypharmacy, negative self-perception of health, weight loss, and hospitalization over the past 12 months.CONCLUSIONS The factors associated with worsening of frailty along the studied period among older adults in the community were those related to health care. This result must be considered by health professionals when addressing frail and vulnerable older adults.
Highlights
Population aging is currently considered one of the greatest challenges for public health
We considered as losses the individuals who were not available to participate of at least three visits on different days and times, even with prior scheduling, as well as those who changed the place of residence and those who died
Among the 685 older adults evaluated in the base year, 92 refused to participate in the second phase of the study, 78 changed their residence and have not been located, 67 were not found at home after three visits, and 54 had died
Summary
Population aging is currently considered one of the greatest challenges for public health. This phenomenon is happening gradually in developed countries, but presents an accelerated rate in developing countries, leading to new challenges for the health sector[1]. It is characterized as a dynamic, progressive, and irreversible process, linked to biological, psychological, and social factors[2]. The cumulative effect of several health-related conditions can increase susceptibility to disease and compromise the functional capacity of older adults to perform everyday activities and, lead to adverse clinical outcomes. The clinically recognizable state resulting from the decline in the reserve and function of multiple physiological systems is defined as frailty[3]
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