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Frailty among rural elderly adults
Carmen-Lucia Curcio, Guadalupe-Maria Henao, Fernando Gomez1
1Research Group on Geriatrics and Gerontology, International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics Collaborative Center, University of Caldas, Manizales, Colombia. gomez.montes@ucaldas.edu.co.
BMC Geriatrics
|January 11, 2014
Summary
Frailty affects 12.2% of rural elderly in the Andes, linked to age, health, and disability. Frail individuals experience higher comorbidity and disability, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Frailty is a significant concern in aging populations, particularly in underserved rural areas.
- Understanding frailty prevalence and associated factors is crucial for developing effective health strategies.
- The Andes Mountains present a unique demographic context for studying elderly health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the prevalence of frailty using Fried criteria in an elderly rural Andean population.
- To identify factors associated with frailty in this demographic.
- To analyze the relationship between frailty, comorbidity, and disability.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involved 1878 participants aged 60 and older.
- Frailty was assessed using the Fried criteria (weakness, slow gait, low physical activity, exhaustion, weight loss).
- Statistical analyses included Chi-square, ANOVA, and multinomial logistic regression.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of frailty was 12.2% in the studied population.
- Associated factors included older age, female gender, poorer self-perceived health, more chronic conditions, disability in activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental ADL, slower chair stand time, depressive symptoms, and cognitive impairment.
- Frail individuals exhibited higher comorbidity and disability rates.
Conclusions:
- A significant proportion of elderly individuals in rural Andean communities exhibit frailty.
- The prevalence is comparable to other Latin American populations, suggesting broader applicability of findings.
- Frailty is strongly associated with comorbidity and disability, underscoring its impact on elderly health outcomes.
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