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Frailty and related factors based on a multidimensional assessment in people 70 years old or over


MOJ Gerontology & Geriatrics
Iñaki Martin Lesende,1 María Carmen Maroto Rebollo,2 María Luz Peña González,3 Adoración Sáenz Ganuza,4 Inmaculada Sánchez Martin,5 Julio Mario Meras Llivre6, Francisco Javier Ortiz de Martioda Monte7
Bilbao-Basurto Integrated Health Organisation
Maria Carmen Maroto Rebollo, Saenz de Buruaga Health Centre
Maria Luz Pena Gonzalez, Subdirectorate of Health Care
Adoracion Saenz Ganuza, Montana Alavesa Health Centre
Inmaculada Sanchez Martin , Basque Health Department
Julio Mario Meras Llivre, Osakidetza Computing Service
Francisco Javier Ortiz de Martioda Monte, Osakidetza Computing Service

Abstract

1.1   Introduction: The Healthcare Plan for the Elderly (PAM) of the Basque Public Health Service (Osakidetza) determines different typologies of people ≥ 70 years of age based on a multidimensional assessment. The objective is to learn about the prevalence of frailty and its relationship with other variables of the assessment.

1.2   Material and methods: Cross-sectional study with a sample of 666 people (569 with a certain typology determined) ≥70 years of age from 7 healthcare centres, selected by random sampling. Different typologies were determined based on functionality (Instrumental Activities of Daily Living - IADL, Lawton-Brody Index; Basic Activities of Daily Living - BADL, Barthel Index), existence of chronic diseases, and life expectancy < 6 months: ‘healthy older person’, ‘with a chronic disease but no relevant alteration of functionality’, ‘FRAIL’ (alteration of IADL, Barthel > 59, life expectancy > 6 months), ‘dependent’, and ‘at the end of life’.

1.3   Results: The 19.2% (95% CI 16.1-22.6%) were frail. Frailty was significantly related (p < 0.001) to age (66.1% > 80 years old versus 27.2% non-frail), physical inactivity (57.1 versus 15.4%), previous falls (58.4% versus 34.2%) and number of chronic medications (median 13 versus 8). It was also related to certain pathologies (cardiovascular, osteoarticular) and visual deficit. Detection through the assessment of IADL is closely related to the Timed Up and Go Test (p < 0.001).

1.4   Conclusions: In order to detect frailty, it is important to consider older age, physical inactivity, certain comorbidity (cardiovascular, osteoarticular, sensory) and polypharmacy. IADL and performance-based tests show very good correlation.

Keywords

Frail elderly, Geriatric assessment, Activities of daily living, Primary care, Instrumental Activities, Complications, Public Health, Prevalence, Unfavourable, Feasibility, Non-cutaneous, Osteoarticular, Relationship, Interquartile, Global pilot, Comorbidity

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