Clinical and Functional Characterization of Pre-frailty among Elderly Patients Consulting Primary Care Centres

Characterization of the main features of pre-frailty may contribute to better understanding the mechanisms involved in the development of frailty.

To characterize the pre-frail population consulting in primary care centres in Mataró (Catalonia, Spain), to describe the Fried's frailty criteria for this population and to identify the main associated factors.

Cross-sectional study.

Three primary care centres in Catalonia.

Pre-frail subjects recruited from among persons aged 70 years and older consulting primary care centres and screened for frailty according to Fried's criteria.

Clinical, nutritional and functional data.

Frailty prevalence of 31.0% and pre-frailty prevalence of 49.0% were observed. Comorbidity was not especially frequent among elderly individuals classified as pre-frail (except for diabetes with 35.8% prevalence). Functional status and nutritional status were both reasonably satisfactory in pre-frail subjects with mean Barthel score of 98 points and 91% classified as well nourished. Among pre-frail subjects, 35% were obese (body mass index>30); 75% reported pain; 12% had an accidental fall in the previous three months; and the mean number of medications ingested was 6.2. Weakness was the most prevalent frailty criterion (70%), followed by slowness (30%). Weakness was associated with age in men and with pain in women. Poor physical activity was associated with pain.

Pre-frailty is very common among elderly subjects consulting primary care centres. Weakness, slowness, diabetes, pain and polypharmacy should alert healthcare professionals to the onset of a frailty process.