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Frailty Trajectory Within 3 Months After Discharge Among Older Adults Living With Frailty Who Experience Hip Fracture
Yaqi Guan1, Yueying Zhu1, Bin Li1
1Department of Joint Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University (Nursing Department), Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
Aim:
To identify the latent frailty trajectory and explore corresponding predictors among older adults living with frailty who experience hip fracture surgery within 3 months after discharge.
Design:
From December 2022 to November 2024, 178 individuals were consecutively enrolled in a longitudinal observational study conducted at a tertiary hospital in Zhejiang Province, China.
Methods:
The Reported Edmonton Frail Scale measured the frailty level at 5 points, which included baseline (pre-fracture), at discharge, 2 weeks, 1 and 3 months after discharge. Latent class growth models were set up for the frailty trajectory. Multinomial logistic regression was performed to explore the predictors of frailty trajectory classes.
Results:
One hundred fifty-three participants completed the full follow-up. Latent class growth models identified 3 frailty trajectories. Class 1: moderate frailty transformed to severe frailty (n = 27; 17.65%); Class 2: mild frailty transformed to moderate frailty (n = 86; 56.20%); Class 3: pre-frailty transformed to mild frailty (n = 40; 26.15%). A higher-level D-Dimer at admission and the five-item version of the Geriatric Depression Scale increased the incidence of Class 2 compared to Class 3. The higher scores of the Abbreviated Mental Test decreased the incidence of Class 2 compared to Class 3. Longer surgical waiting time, a higher-level five-item version of the Geriatric Depression Scale and the Age-Adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index increased the incidence of Class 1 compared to Class 3. The higher scores of the Abbreviated Mental Test and Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form decreased the incidence of Class 1 compared to Class 3.
Conclusions:
Three frailty trajectory classes were identified among older adults living with frailty who experience hip fracture surgery after discharge within 3 months. D-Dimer at admission, surgical waiting time, depressive symptoms, cognitive status, comorbidity index and nutritional status are associated with these fluctuating frailty trajectories.
Implications For The Profession And/Or Patient Care:
Modifiable factors such as improving nutrition and cognitive status and managing depression, comorbidities and preoperative evaluations provide methods for future interventions to prevent or mitigate frailty among this population.
Impact:
What problem did the study address? Frailty is an inherent dynamic among older adults living with frailty who experience hip fracture surgery after discharge within 3 months. Some factors affect the mitigated frailty process in this population. What were the main findings? Three frailty trajectory classes were identified in this study. And the level of their frailty worsens 3 months after surgery compared to pre-fracture. D-Dimer at admission, surgical waiting time, depressive symptoms, cognitive status, comorbidity index and nutritional status are associated with these fluctuating frailty trajectories. Where and on whom will the research have an impact? The findings of this study provide screening, intervention and discharge plan evidence for healthcare workers in orthopaedics and geriatrics Departments. Helping community healthcare workers and primary caregivers set the theoretical basis for home-based intervention programs.
Reporting Method:
We have adhered to relevant EQUATOR guidelines using the STROBE reporting method.
Patient Contribution:
No patient or public contribution.
