BACKGROUND

Frailty is common in older adults with obesity and diabetes. We compared prevalence of the frailty phenotype between intervention groups in long-term follow-up of Look Action for Health in Diabetes Study (AHEAD), a randomized trial comparing a multidomain intensive lifestyle intervention (ILI) that promoted weight loss and physical activity with a diabetes support and education (DSE) control group in adults with type 2 diabetes and overweight or obesity.

METHOD

Participants included 2 979 individuals randomized to ILI or DSE in 2001-2004 who completed frailty assessment in Look AHEAD-Extension Wave 1 (2016-2018) at an average age of 72.1 ± 6.2 years. Frailty was assessed using a modified frailty phenotype definition (excluding weight loss) defined as the presence of 3 or more of the following frailty characteristics: weakness, slow gait speed, low physical activity, and exhaustion. Frailty odds by intervention assignment (DSE vs ILI) were estimated using multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for sex, clinic site, and time since randomization.

RESULTS

At median follow-up of 14.0 years (interquartile range: 13.8-14.1), frailty prevalence was 10.9% in ILI compared with 11.6% in DSE (odds ratio for frailty in ILI vs DSE = 0.94, 95% confidence interval: 0.75-1.18, p = .60). Frailty was more prevalent in participants who were older, female, non-White, of lower socioeconomic status, and at baseline had a higher body mass index and waist circumference, longer duration of diabetes, history of cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome.

CONCLUSIONS

Prior randomization to ILI compared with DSE was not associated with a lower prevalence of frailty after a median follow-up of 14.0 years in adults with diabetes and overweight or obesity.