P117: Shorter telomeres in peripheral blood lymphocytes from older persons with sarcopenia: results from an exploratory study

Abstract

Introduction: Frailty is associated with high risk for falls, disability, hospitalization, and mortality. Frailty evaluation with Fried’s criteria is not routinely feasible in primary care. The aim of this study is to compare objective evaluation of frailty to Fried’s criteria with subjective evaluation perceived by the physician and the patient. Secondarily to study evolution and become of initially fragile patients. Methods:We performed a descriptive prospective study in a patient base of three general practitioners. We studied the prevalence of frailty to the Fried’s criteria in patients over 75 years, then we have re-evaluated remotely at the office or at home one year later. Frailty was defined by the presence of three criteria including weight loss, weakness (grip strength), self-reported exhaustion, low physical activity and slow walking speed. Present three criteria defined frail patients. Results: Of the 64 patients included, 15.6% were frail and 53.1% were pre-frail. Subjective fatigue of the patient, scored from 0 to 10, was the most correlated criterion to objective frailty (p = 0.0313). 55 patients were re-evaluated at one year. Fatigue (p =0.008), ADL (p =0.0022), IADL (p =0.0028), grip strength (p < 0.0001) and walking speed (p =0.0294) were correlated to the initial number of Fried’s criteria. Robust who become frail during the initial assessment, had a lower IADL score (p = 0.004) and a lower grip strength (p =0.0311) than those who remained robust. Conclusion: Subjective fatigue perceived by the patient seems interesting to detect frailty in primary care. IADL score and grip strength seem to be predictive of transition to frailty in robust patients.