Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 30, 2026

Measuring Frailty in HIV-infected Individuals. Identification of Frail Patients is the First Step to Amelioration and Reversal of Frailty
Published on: July 24, 2013
Association Between Frailty and Chronic Liver Disease Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in China: A Nationwide
Wang Lei1, Liu Hui1, Zhou Runkuo1
1School of Nursing, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China.
Background:
Chronic liver disease (CLD) is a significant public health burden in China. This study aimed to investigate the unclear correlation between frailty-characterized by diminished physiological reserves-and CLD risk among middle-aged and elderly Chinese adults.
Methods:
Using data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), we evaluated associations between the frailty index (FI) and CLD via cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. Multivariable logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess CLD prevalence and incidence, respectively. Restricted cubic spline, Kaplan-Meier, and sensitivity analyses were also performed.
Results:
The study included 16 936 participants for cross-sectional and 14 901 for longitudinal analyses. Cross-sectionally, frailty showed a significant dose-response relationship with CLD prevalence: in fully adjusted models, pre-frail (OR = 1.84, 95% CI: 1.49-2.28) and frail (OR = 3.14, 95% CI: 2.46-4.02) groups had elevated risks compared with nonfrail individuals. Longitudinally, baseline frailty independently predicted incident CLD (prefrail: HR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.16-1.56; frail: HR = 1.76, 95% CI: 1.45-2.12). Additionally, each 10-unit FI increase raised CLD prevalence (OR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.22-1.37) and incidence (HR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.09-1.22) risks.
Conclusions:
In middle-aged and older Chinese adults, frailty exhibits a dose-response association with CLD prevalence and incidence, with notably elevated risks even in pre-frailty. Frailty assessment may identify high-risk populations, offering new avenues for primary prevention and integrated interventions amid aging-related liver diseases.
Related Concept Videos
Chronic Pancreatitis I: Introduction
Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, which occurs when the immune system becomes active and causes swelling, pain, and disruptions in organ function. Pancreatitis can manifest as either an acute or chronic condition.
Acute pancreatitis arises suddenly and lasts for a brief duration, while chronic pancreatitis is a long-term affliction...
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Drug Dosing and Hepatic Blood Flow
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test
Development of Human Microbiota
Cirrhosis I: Introduction
Chronic Pancreatitis I: Introduction

