Risk factors associated with frailty and hypertension in older adults: a path analysis

This study verified the direct and indirect associations between frailty, depressive symptoms, stressful events, insomnia, arterial hypertension, and sociodemographic factors. A total of 689 older adults participated. The following variables were collected: frailty, depressive symptoms, insomnia, intensity of stressful events, and arterial hypertension. Mediation analysis was performed and tested through path analysis based on structural equation modeling. Statistically significant coefficients were identified with t > 1.96. Frailty and arterial hypertension were the outcome variables obtained in the model. Older age (β = 0,18) and female sex (β = 0,09) were directly related to frailty, with this relationship also mediated by the intensity of stressful events and depressive symptoms. Arterial hypertension was directly related to education (β = -0,08) and sex (β = 0,09), while insomnia symptoms mediated the relationship between education (β = -0,13) and arterial hypertension (β = 0,13). A comprehensive approach to older adults must prioritize perceived stress, depressive symptoms, and insomnia, considering their interplay within the family context to ensure holistic care and well-being.