Pre-frail Women Research Articles

Identifying the Biomarker Profile of Pre-Frail and Frail People: A Cross-Sectional Analysis from UK Biobank.

This study aimed to compare the biomarker profile of pre-frail and frail adults in the UK Biobank cohort by sex. In total, 202,537 participants (67.8% women, aged 37 to 73 years) were included in this cross-sectional analysis. Further, 31 biomarkers were investigated in this study. Frailty was defined using a modified version of the Frailty Phenotype. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to explore the biomarker profile of pre-frail and frail individuals categorized by sex. Lower concentrations of apoA1, total, LDL, and HDL cholesterol, albumin, eGFRcys, vitamin D, total bilirubin, apoB, and testosterone (differences ranged from -0.30 to -0.02 per 1-SD change), as well as higher concentrations of triglycerides, GGT, cystatin C, CRP, ALP, and phosphate (differences ranged from 0.01 to 0.53 per 1-SD change), were identified both in pre-frail and frail men and women. However, some of the associations differed by sex. For instance, higher rheumatoid factor and urate concentrations were identified in pre-frail and frail women, while lower calcium, total protein, and IGF-1 concentrations were identified in pre-frail women and frail women and men. When the analyses were further adjusted for CRP, similar results were found. Several biomarkers were linked to pre-frailty and frailty. Nonetheless, some of the associations differed by sex. Our findings contribute to a broader understanding of the pathophysiology of frailty as currently defined.

Salutogenic Model-Based Frailty Prevention Program for Pre-Frail Women Aged 55 Years and Over (SAFRAPP): A Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Frailty is a geriatric syndrome which is more higher among women. Limited evidence suggests a model-based intervention for preventing worsening frailty for women. Purpose: This protocol describes a single-blinded, two-armed randomized controlled study purposing to examine the effectiveness of Salutogenic Model-Based Frailty Prevention Program (SAFRAPP) for pre-frail women. Methods: Eighty-four eligible participants from vocational institutions of a municipality in Turkey is randomly allocated to either the SAFRAPP intervention or the control group. The SAFRAPP is a 6-week online nurse-led intervention program comprising of laughter yoga, health education and case management. The intervention is rooted in the Salutogenic Model, which focuses on strengthening individuals' coping capacity to deal with stressors. The primary outcomes are the frailty and sence of coherence scores and the secondary outcomes are the well-being, quality of life and fear of fall scores, and number of falls and emergency admissions in the past three months. The study data for intervention and control group is obtained at four times: At baseline and at the 3-month, 6-month and 9-month follow-ups. Results: The protocol was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier number NCT04787432, registration date: 08/03/2021). Eligibility, baseline measurements, randomization, and intervention are completed. The follow-ups are ongoing. Implications for Practice: There is unsufficient evidence regarding the effectiveness of a model-based health promotion interventions for prevention of frailty. The SAFRAPP will provide evidence on prevention of frailty and improving sense of coherence of pre-frail women.

Association of Baltic Sea and Mediterranean diets with frailty phenotype in older women, Kuopio OSTPRE-FPS study

PurposeTo evaluate the association between Baltic Sea diet (BSD) and Mediterranean diet (MED) with frailty.MethodsThis was a secondary analysis on the osteoporosis risk factor and prevention–fracture prevention study on 440 women aged 65–72 years. Frailty was ascertained with the presence of 3–5 and prefrailty 1–2 of the following criteria: weight loss ≥ 5%, low life satisfaction score, walking speed ≤ 0.51 m/s, handgrip strength divided by body mass index ≤ 0.67 kg/m2 and physical activity ≤ 2 h/week. Women answered to questionnaires on lifestyle factors and 3-day food record. BSD score was ascertained using intake of nine and MED score of eight foods or nutrients components from food record. Multinomial logistic regression models adjusted for age, energy intake, smoking, living status, marital status and intervention group evaluated associations between MED and BSD with frailty phenotype status.ResultsAt 3-year follow-up, 206 women (46.8%) were prefrail and 36 (8.2%) were frail. After adjusting for confounders, a tendency was found between BSD per standard deviation (SD)-unit increase and lower likelihood of frailty (β = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.38–1.01, P = 0.057). Further, MED per SD-unit increase was associated with lower likelihood of prefrailty (β = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.6–0.9, P = 0.009). Consumption of vegetables was lower in frail (31.5 ± 36.0 g/day) and prefrail women (37.1 ± 42.0 g/day) than in non-frail women (48.6 ± 40.7 g/day) (P for trend = 0.041).ConclusionsPositive behavioral characteristics such as following MED and BSD may be associated with lower likelihood of prefrailty and frailty in older women. However, further longitudinal analyses are warranted.

Associations Between Nutritional Status, Frailty and Health-Related Quality of Life Among Older Long-Term Care Residents in Helsinki

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to examine how nutritional status modifies the association between frailty and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among older nursing home residents. We also investigated how residents’ energy intake is linked to frailty score.Design and participantsA total of 486 older (> 65 years of age) nursing home residents living in Helsinki, Finland were included to this cross-sectional study.MethodsWe collected data on the residents’ background information, HRQoL by 15D, nutritional status by Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), frailty status (Fried’s phenotype criteria; pre-frail: 1–2 criteria and frail: 3–5) and energy intake (one- or two-day food records).ResultsThe frail residents were more often malnourished and had lower HRQoL than those in the prefrail group. Energy and protein intakes were significantly lower among frail women than prefrail women. Energy intake was linearly associated with frailty points. When residents in the frail and prefrail groups were divided according to their nutritional status, both nutritional status and frailty were associated with HRQoL, but there was no interaction.ConclusionsBoth nutritional status and frailty were associated with HRQoL, and lower energy intake indicated a higher frailty score. An adequate energy intake may promote residents’ HRQoL and prevent frailty in long-term care.

The Impact of Movement Behaviors on Bone Health in Elderly with Adequate Nutritional Status: Compositional Data Analysis Depending on the Frailty Status.

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between bone mass (BM) and physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) according to frailty status and sex using compositional data analysis. We analyzed 871 older people with an adequate nutritional status. Fried criteria were used to classify by frailty status. Time spent in SB, light intensity PA (LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA (MVPA) was assessed from accelerometry for 7 days. BM was determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The combined effect of PA and SB was significantly associated with BM in robust men and women (p ≤ 0.05). In relation to the other behaviors, SB was negatively associated with BM in robust men while BM was positively associated with SB and negatively with LPA and MVPA in robust women. Moreover, LPA also was positively associated with arm BM (p ≤ 0.01). Finally, in pre-frail women, BM was positively associated with MVPA. In our sample, to decrease SB could be a good strategy to improve BM in robust men. In contrast, in pre-frail women, MVPA may be an important factor to consider regarding bone health.

Sex And Prognostic Significance of Self-Reported Frailty in Non–ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes: Insights From the TRILOGY ACS Trial

BackgroundThe effect of sex on self-reported frailty in acute coronary syndromes (ACS) is unclear. We examined the prevalence of self-reported frailty and its association with all-cause death among men and women. MethodsElderly (≥ 65 years) male (n = 2691) and female (n = 2305) patients with ACS enrolled in the Targeted Platelet Inhibition to Clarify the Optimal Strategy to Medically Manage Acute Coronary Syndromes (TRILOGY ACS) trial were screened using the Fried Frailty Index. Sex differences in prevalence of frailty symptoms and categories (not frail; prefrail [1 to 2 symptoms]; and frail [≥ 3 symptoms]) and their prognostic importance were examined. ResultsWomen were older and had higher rates of comorbidities than men. A total of 739 (27.5%) men and 645 (28%) women reported ≥ 1 frailty symptom. Prevalence of frailty increased with age among men but not women. During a median follow-up of 17.3 months, 353 (13.1%) men and 266 (11.5%) women died. After adjusting for age, prefrail men had a 35% increased risk (hazard ratio [HR] 1.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07-1.71), and frail men had an 80% increased risk (HR 1.80; 95% CI, 1.22-2.67) of death relative to not-frail men. The age-adjusted HR for death in prefrail women was 1.40 (95% CI, 1.07-1.84), and 1.55 (95% CI, 0.96-2.49) in frail women relative to not-frail women. Self-reported slow walk time and decreased physical activity appeared to provide the most prognostic information. ConclusionSelf-reported frailty was similar among men and women with ACS. Frailty increased with age only among men, in whom it added more prognostic information. Patient-reported frailty may identify elderly patients with ACS, particularly men, at high-risk of mortality.

Is frailty a relevant concept in SLE?

ObjectiveIn geriatric populations, frailty is associated with poor health outcomes, including mortality. Frailty has not been examined in lupus, although components of the phenotype seem relevant.MethodsWomen with lupus (n=152) participated...

PLASMA LEVELS OF INTERLEUKIN-6 AND SOLUBLE TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR RECEPTOR ARE ASSOCIATED WITH MUSCLE PERFORMANCE IN PRE-FRAIL COMMUNITY-DWELLING OLDER WOMEN?

Aim: Increased plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α have been associated with frailty syndrome and reduced muscle strength in older. Sarcopenia influenced loss of mobility and functional independence, and contributed to frailty syndrome. Furthermore, sarcopenia mainly entails a decrease in type II muscle fibers, with consequent loss of muscle power; this could occur as a result of a lack of physical activity. Objective: To examine the correlation of muscular performance and the plasma levels of IL-6 and soluble TNF receptor (sTNFr) in pre-frail community-dwelling women. Methods: The study included 32 pre-frail women (≥ 65ys). The measurements were plasma concentrations of IL-6 and sTNFr1 (ELISA); muscle strength (isokinetics Biodex System). The muscle resistance program constituted 75% of maximum load (3 times/week, 10 weeks). Statistical analysis were made through Pearson and Spearman correlation (α = 5%). Results: There was a significant inverse correlation between sTNFr1 and muscle strength, pre- (r = −0.36, P = .04) and post-training (r = −0.37, P = .04) and, a significant positive correlation between IL-6 and muscle strength (r = 0.45, P = .01). Conclusion: The correlations found between the inflammatory mediators and the measures of muscular performance evaluated before and after training suggest that, as the muscles increase their ability to generate power, sTNFr concentrations decrease, and the levels of IL-6 increase. Muscle resistance exercises should be encouraged in pre-frail older women to induce the release of cytokines.

Effects of a Combined Physical Training and Nutrition Intervention on Physical Performance and Health-Related Quality of Life in Prefrail Older Women Living in the Community: A Randomized Controlled Trial

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to examine whether a 12-week combined physical exercise training and nutritional intervention improves physical performance and enhances health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among prefrail elderly women living in the community. DesignThis was a randomized controlled trial in which participants were recruited and randomly assigned to the exercise and nutrition group (EN, n = 30), exercise only group (E, n = 28), and control group (C, n = 31). SettingGroup training classes were held at a research center in Itabashi Ward, Tokyo, Japan. ParticipantsEighty-nine prefrail women aged 70 years or older. InterventionThe EN group participated in an exercise training and nutritional program (cooking class) once a week, and the E group participated in the exercise training program only. MeasurementsOutcome measures that included physical performance (handgrip strength, balance, walking speed) and HRQOL (Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey) were obtained at entry, the end of the 12-week intervention, and 6 months after completion of the intervention program. ResultsAt the end of the 12-week intervention, significant improvements in the physical component summary score and 3 (role physical, bodily pain, role emotional) of the 8 domains of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey were observed in the EN group. The E group exhibited a significantly increased handgrip strength at postintervention. The positive effects, however, were not maintained at 6-month follow-up, but were reduced. ConclusionsThe combined physical exercise training and nutritional intervention program has beneficial effects on several domains of HRQOL and handgrip strength in prefrail elderly women living in the community. However, further studies are needed to examine approaches that facilitate maintenance of the improved outcomes by combined exercise training and nutritional intervention.

Frailty Status and Altered Glucose-Insulin Dynamics

We examined women in their 80s and 90s and evaluated the hypothesis that abnormalities in the dynamic response of glucose and insulin to a glucose load are associated with frailty status. We performed a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test in 73 community-dwelling women aged 84-95 years without known diabetes enrolled in the Women's Health and Aging Study II. We examined the association of frailty status (nonfrail, prefrail, or frail) with oral glucose tolerance test glucose and insulin levels at 0, 30, 60, 120, and 180 minutes using multiple linear regression models. Using American Diabetes Association criteria, only 27% of older women had normal glucose status, 48% had prediabetes, and 25% had undiagnosed diabetes. Fasting glucose, fasting insulin, homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance, and Matsuda index were similar by frailty status, adjusting for age and body mass index. Conversely, mean oral glucose tolerance test glucose levels were higher at 60 minutes (44.6 ± 18.1 mg/dL higher) and 120 minutes (67.1 ± 23.5 mg/dL higher) and to a lesser extent at 180 minutes (44.3 ± 22.5 mg/dL higher) in frail versus nonfrail women as was integrated glucose area after adjustment. Mean 120-minute insulin level was also higher in frail versus nonfrail women (45.7 ± 22.4 μU/mL higher). Overall, glucose and insulin responses were more exaggerated and prolonged in frail versus nonfrail or prefrail women. Our data demonstrate dysregulation in response to glucose challenge as a component of physiologic vulnerability associated with frailty in old-old women. Future studies should examine the timing of abnormal glucose-insulin dynamics with respect to the pathogenesis of frailty.

Chronic Cytomegalovirus Infection and Inflammation Are Associated with Prevalent Frailty in Community‐Dwelling Older Women

To evaluate the association between asymptomatic chronic cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and the frailty syndrome and to assess whether inflammation modifies this association. Cross-sectional analysis. Women's Health and Aging Study I & II, Baltimore, Maryland. Seven hundred twenty-four community-dwelling women aged 70 to 79 with baseline measures of CMV, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and frailty status. CMV serology and IL-6 concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Frailty status was based on previously validated criteria: unintentional weight loss, weak grip strength, exhaustion, slow walking speed, and low level of activity. Frail women had three or more of the five components, prefrail women had one or two components, and women who were not frail had none of the components. Multinomial logistic regression adjusted for potential confounders. Eighty-seven percent of women were CMV seropositive, an indication of chronic infection. CMV was associated with prevalent frailty, adjusting for age, smoking history, elevated body mass index, diabetes mellitus, and congestive heart failure (CMV frail adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=3.2, P=.03; CMV prefrail AOR=1.5, P=.18). IL-6 interacted with CMV, significantly increasing the magnitude of this association (CMV positive and low IL-6 frail AOR=1.5, P=.53; CMV positive and high IL-6 frail AOR=20.3, P=.007; CMV positive and low IL-6 prefrail AOR=0.9, P=.73; CMV positive and high IL-6 prefrail AOR=5.5, P=.001). Chronic CMV infection is associated with prevalent frailty, a state with increased morbidity and mortality in older adults; inflammation enhances this effect. Further prospective studies are needed to establish a causal relationship between CMV, inflammation, and frailty.