Abstract
BackgroundIt has not been clarified whether physical frailty symptoms predict social.frailty. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the effect of physical frailty on social frailty, and to determine which domains of physical frailty predict the development of social frailty.MethodsWe employed a two-year prospective cohort study. A total of 342 socially robust community-dwelling older adults were recruited. We used a modified social frailty screening index consisting of four social domains including financial difficulties, living alone, social activity, and contact with neighbors. Physical frailty status was also assessed at baseline. At the two-year follow-up, we assessed the development of social frailty. Social status was assessed using four social subdomains for the primary analysis. Social status was assessed using the two social subdomains of social activity and contact with neighbors, which would be affected by the physical frailty component, for the secondary analysis. The risk ratios (RR) of physical frailty for the development of social frailty were estimated.ResultsAlthough physical frailty symptoms were not a significant risk factor for future development of social frailty as assessed by four social subdomains (adjusted RR 1.39, 95% CI 0.95–2.15), it became significant when development of social frailty was assessed by the two social subdomains (adjusted RR 1.78, 95% CI 1.10–2.88). An analysis using the physical frailty subdomain showed that slow gait speed (adjusted RR 3.41, 95% CI 1.10–10.53) and weakness (adjusted RR 1.06, 95% CI 1.01–1.12) were independent risk factors for development of social frailty as assessed by two social subdomains.ConclusionsPhysical frailty symptoms predict the development of social frailty. Among physical frailty subdomains, gait speed and muscle strength are critical independent risk factors for future decline in the social aspect. The prevention of physical frailty, especially by maintaining gait ability and muscle strength, may be effective for avoiding social frailty.
Highlights
It has not been clarified whether physical frailty symptoms predict social. frailty
We focused on social behavior and fulfillment of basic social needs in the social frailty index, which would be affected by the physical components because the two activities require physical movement
Participants classified as physically any level of frailty showed a higher Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) score, higher prevalence of history of falls, lower gait speed, lower strength, and lower Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity (MVPA)
Summary
It has not been clarified whether physical frailty symptoms predict social. frailty. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the effect of physical frailty on social frailty, and to determine which domains of physical frailty predict the development of social frailty. It has not been clarified whether physical frailty symptoms predict social. Frailty is a state of vulnerability that results in an increased risk of adverse health outcomes related to aging [1]. The concept of frailty includes physical, psychological, and social components [2]. Physical frailty is the most commonly investigated component and has been shown in many studies to predict disability, hospitalization, and mortality [1, 3, 4]. A gold standard assessment for social frailty has not been established yet, several studies have demonstrated the adverse health outcomes attributable to social frailty, such as disability and mortality [5,6,7]. The prevention of social frailty constitutes an important issue in an ageing society
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