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Cardiovascular risk factors and frailty in a cross-sectional study of older people: implications for prevention

Tsz Yan Wong1, M Sofia Massa1, Aisling M O'Halloran2

  • 1Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.

Age and Ageing
|May 26, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Cardiovascular disease risk factors are linked to frailty in older adults. Managing cardiovascular health may help prevent frailty and disability in aging populations.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Cardiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Frailty is a significant geriatric condition associated with adverse health outcomes.
  • Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its risk factors are prevalent in aging populations.
  • Understanding the interplay between CVD risk factors and frailty is crucial for preventive strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the associations between cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its risk factors with frailty.
  • To explore how composite CVD risk scores relate to the prevalence and severity of frailty.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study design was employed using data from the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA).
  • Frailty was assessed using a 40-item frailty index in 5,618 participants.
  • Cardiovascular risk factors were aggregated into three composite scores: Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE), Ideal Cardiovascular Health (ICH), and Cardiovascular Health Metrics (CHM).

Main Results:

  • Frailty prevalence increased with age, from 7.6% in 50-59 year olds to 42.5% in those 80+ years.
  • Participants with prior CVD had a significantly higher prevalence of frailty (43.0%) compared to those without (10.7%).
  • Higher SCORE (Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation) was positively associated with frailty (OR=3.18 for very high risk), while optimal ICH (Ideal Cardiovascular Health) was inversely associated (OR=0.29).

Conclusions:

  • Optimizing cardiovascular health metrics and managing CVD risk factors are important for preventing frailty in older adults.
  • The findings underscore the potential of targeting cardiovascular risk factors to mitigate disability associated with frailty.
Abstract

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