Frailty phenotype in adults with sickle cell disease

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Hematology
• Public Health

Background:

• Sickle cell disease (SCD) accelerates biological aging and functional decline.
• Frailty, characterized by reduced physiological reserve, increases vulnerability to stressors, leading to disability and death.
• Understanding frailty in SCD is critical for managing long-term health outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the frailty phenotype in adults with sickle cell disease.
• To identify factors associated with frailty in the SCD population.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study analyzed 137 adults (age ≥18) with SCD.
• Frailty was defined using ≥3 criteria: slowness, weakness, weight loss, low physical activity, and exhaustion.
• Participants were categorized as frail (≥3 criteria), prefrail (1-2 criteria), or robust (0 criteria).

Main Results:

• 2% were frail, 47% prefrail, and 51% robust.
• Frail/prefrail individuals had more emergency visits, hypertension, diabetes, and SCD complications compared to robust individuals.
• Significant differences were observed in socioeconomic status, cognitive function, depression, physical function, and daily living disability.

Conclusions:

• Prevalence of prefrailty in adults with SCD mirrors that of older general populations, suggesting accelerated aging.
• Early identification and intervention are necessary to prevent and mitigate frailty in SCD.
• Future research will explore SCD-specific frailty components predicting clinical outcomes.