Association between Physical Function, Mental Function and Frailty in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine
• Public Health
• Clinical Medicine

Background:

• Frailty is a growing concern in aging populations, impacting physical and mental well-being.
• Understanding the interplay between physical function, mental health, and polypharmacy is essential for geriatric care.
• This study investigates these relationships in older adults to inform prevention and intervention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the independent and combined associations of physical and mental function with frailty in older adults.
• To investigate the role of polypharmacy in exacerbating frailty risk.
• To identify key indicators for predicting frailty in the elderly population.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study of 368 participants aged 60 years and older, categorized as robust or frail using Fried's phenotype.
• Physical function assessed via grip strength, gait speed, Timed Up and Go (TUG), Five Chair Sit to Stand Test (FCSST), and Six-Minute Walk Test (SMWT).
• Mental function evaluated using Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) for cognition and Korean Short Geriatric Depression Scale (SGDS) for depression.

Main Results:

• Low Six-Minute Walk Test (SMWT) performance significantly increased frailty risk (OR: 8.66).
• Impaired global cognitive function was associated with a 1.97-fold increase in frailty risk.
• Polypharmacy amplified frailty risk; increased risks observed for TUG, SMWT, and SGDS (ORs 3.65-5.71).

Conclusions:

• Physical function (SMWT, FCSST, TUG) and mental function (depression, cognition) are significantly associated with frailty.
• Polypharmacy acts as a significant risk multiplier for frailty.
• Comprehensive assessment of physical and mental health is vital for developing targeted frailty interventions.