Prediction of physiological state, cognition, sensory function, and biomarkers for frailty in patients aged 55 years or more with schizophrenia.

Abstract

We explored the performance of demographic characteristics, physiological state, cognitive function, sensory function, and biomarkers when used as predictors of frailty for patients with schizophrenia. A cross-sectional study design was adopted. Demographic data and data on physiological state, cognitive function, sensory function, biochemical indices, and frailty status of patients with schizophrenia were collected. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, a chi-square test, one-factor analysis of variance, and logistic regression. The results revealed that frailty was prevalent among patients with lower educational attainment, longer hospital stay, higher skeletal muscle mass, higher basal metabolic rate, lower cognitive function, the use of tranquillisers and sleeping pills, and the use of assistive equipment as well as having fallen in the past year. In addition, cognitive function (p < 0.05), use of a wheelchair (p < 0.05), and use of an assistive walker (p < 0.001) were used as predictors of frailty condition of patients with schizophrenia. Patients with schizophrenia have higher risk of having complications than patients with other chronic illnesses. Therefore, medical staff should regularly assess the levels of frailty risk to help patients with schizophrenia.