A Preliminary Screening Tool for High-Risk Frailty in Older Adults Patients with Pulmonary Tuberculosis

To understand the current status and analyse the factors influencing frailty in older adults patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

This retrospective case-control study included 204 older adults patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. The enrolled patients were divided into a frailty group (n = 101) and a non-frailty group (n = 103). The study further collected and compared the data of various scores.

The total frailty score among the patients ranged from 0 to 15 points, with an average score of 5.23 ± 2.31 points. The total social support score ranged from 15 to 47 points, with an average of 33.43 ± 6.11 points. The physical function level scores ranged from 10 to 100 points, with an average of 84.58 ± 14.48 points. Additionally, univariate analysis showed significant differences between the groups in terms of age, body mass index (BMI), duration of disease, types of long-term medication and the number of complications and comorbidities (P < 0.05). Correlation analysis revealed negative correlations of social support (P < 0.001) and physical function (P < 0.001) with the overall frailty score and a positive correlation of depression levels (P < 0.001) with the overall frailty score. Further regression analysis indicated that being over 80 years old, having a low BMI, long-term polypharmacy and a high depression score were risk factors. High social support and physical function scores were protective factors against frailty in older adults patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

In older adults patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, the overall frailty score shows negative correlations with social support and physical function and a positive correlation with depression level.