Association between indoor ventilation frequency and frailty among Chinese older adults

Frailty is a common geriatric syndrome that imposes a heavy disease burden globally. Indoor ventilation is a crucial measure for improving air quality. However, the association between indoor ventilation frequency (IVF) and frailty remains unclear. This study aimed to explore this association among Chinese older adults.

We used data from 5,511 older adults in the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) 2018 and an external validation sample of 718 older adults from Chongqing. Logistic regression models and linear regression models were employed to assess the association between IVF and frailty and its seasonal variations. We further conducted subgroup analysis to examine differences across various populations. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 25.0 and R 4.3.0.

Compared with low ventilation frequency, intermediate (OR = 0.722, 95% CI: 0.559 ~ 0.933) and high (OR = 0.824, 95% CI: 0.643 ~ 0.995) frequencies were significantly associated with a lower risk of frailty. Seasonal analysis revealed that this inverse association was particularly significant in autumn and winter. Subgroup analysis suggested that this association was more pronounced in subgroups such as females, older adults over 80 years old, and those who use non-clear energy for cooking. External validation data from Chongqing supported these findings.

This research demonstrated a significant association between IVF and frailty among Chinese older adults. These findings provide supportive evidence for considering ventilation behavior in public health strategies aimed at promoting healthy aging.