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I. Silva1, J. Bacha1, L. Ferreira1, G. Gomes1, E. Silva1, J. Pompeu1
1University of Sao Paulo, Department of Physiotherapy, Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Background: The aging process is accompanied by a set of physiological, psychological and social changes that can trigger multiple syndromes, including the Fragility Syndrome. Frailty can be defined as a medical syndrome with multiple causes and contributors, characterized by diminished strength and endurance and reduced physiological function that increases an individual’s vulnerability to develop increased dependency and/or death. The prevalence of frailty is markedly increased in persons older than 80. Frailty predisposes falls and fractures, disability, dependency, hospitalization and institutional placement and it can be preceded by, but also occurs in the absence of, chronic disease. Identification of the impact of frailty on mobility, cognition, mood, and level of physical activity is important for the development of rehabilitation programs.
Purpose: To compare mobility, cognition, mood, number of comorbidities, polypharmacy, and level of physical activity among robust, pre-frail, and frail older adults.
Methods: Cross-sectional observational study. In total, 76 older adults were included, 15 frail (GF), 15 pre-frail (GPF) and 46 robust (GR) with a mean aged 84 years (4.70), 83 years (7.24) and 69 years (5.66) respectively. The Postural control was evaluated using Mini-BESTest, gait by the Functional Gait Assessment, cognition by the Montreal Cognitive Scale, mood state by the Geriatric Depression Scale, and level of physical activity by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, the number of comorbidities, drugs, and polypharmacy cases was recorded. The groups were compared using one-way ANOVA and the Bonferroni Post-hoc test.
Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the GR and the GPF and GF groups (one-way ANOVA, p=0.0001; Bonferroni's post hoc test, p=0.0001; power=1.0) in all variables. The GPF and GF groups presented significant differences only in the number of comorbidities, polypharmacy, and frequency of physical activity.
Conclusion(s): The presence of frailty and pre-frailty in older adults is associated with alterations in postural control, gait, cognition, mood, and level of physical activity.
Implications: It is extremely important for the older adults to look for resources to stay healthy, since pathologies such as the Fragility Syndrome can negatively impact the life of these individuals.
Funding, acknowledgements: Special acknowledgment to Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior.
Keywords: Aged;, Frail elderly;, Postural balance;
Topic: Older people
Did this work require ethics approval? Yes
Institution: University of São Paulo, Brazil
Committee: University of São Paulo, Brazil
Ethics number: 46658315.5.0000.0068
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
