Frailty in older adults in the city of São Paulo: Prevalence and associated factors.

INTRODUCTION

Frailty is a preventable and reversible syndrome characterized by a cumulative decline of physiological systems, causing greater vulnerability to adverse conditions.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the prevalence of frailty among older adults and analyze its associated factors and progression.

METHOD

This is a longitudinal study that used the Health, Well-being, and Aging Study (Saúde, Bem-Estar e Envelhecimento - SABE) database of 2006 and 2010. Five components identified the frailty syndrome: weight loss; fatigue; decreased strength, low physical activity, and reduced walking speed. Older adults were classified as "pre-frail" (1-2 components) and "frail" (3 or more). We used a hierarchical multiple multinomial regression to analyze associated factors.

RESULTS

Out of the total number of older adults (n = 1,399), 8.5% were frail, and the associated factors were age, functional impairment, cognitive decline, hospitalization, and multimorbidity. In four years, 3.3% of non-frail and 14.7% of pre-frail older adults became frail.

CONCLUSION

Identifying the prevalence of frailty and its associated factors can help to implement adequate interventions early to improve the quality of life of older adults.