Carnevale Edoardo, Bisogno Michele, Trebbi Edoardo, Donnoli Clara, Ciccacci Fausto, Riccardi Fabio, Scarcella Paola, Liotta Giuseppe
Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy.
PLoS One. 2025 Jul 14;20(7):e0327227. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0327227. eCollection 2025.
This pilot study explores the relationship between frailty and public health in older adults, evaluating the impact of an Individualized Care Plan (ICP) on frailty status over time. The study involved 125 individuals aged 65 and over recruited through the "Roma Tor Vergata" reference site for healthy and active aging. The Short Functional Geriatric Evaluation (SFGE) questionnaire was used to assess participants' frailty status at T0 (baseline) and T1 (six-month follow-up). The SFGE evaluates multidimensional frailty, covering psychophysical and socioeconomic domains. Older adults are classified according to four frailty levels: robust, pre-frail, frail, and very frail. Participants identified as pre-frail, frail, or very frail at T0 were also administered the "Sunfrail+" test, which further investigates the bio-psycho-social sphere. An ICP based on multidimensional assessments, was developed for each patient: it was shared with their general practitioner, and recommending specialist visits or rehabilitative interventions. 32% of participants experienced a change in frailty class during the six-month study period. 15.2% improved, 16.8% worsened, and 68% showed no change. Improvement is more frequent in pre-frail individuals, while worsening is predominantly found in robust individuals. Analysis reveals a significant correlation between social and psychological dimensions and the improvement/ worsening of frailty status. Participants who showed improvement reported a greater social activity and improved psychological well-being, while those who worsened reported a reduction in social activities and a decline in socioeconomic and psychological conditions. The study shows that the SFGE is a valuable tool for identifying changes in frailty status and that social networks and psychological well-being are significant factors for frailty status in older adults. Interventions aimed at strengthening social networks of older adults may be useful in preventing or delaying the onset of frailty.
这项试点研究探讨了老年人衰弱与公共卫生之间的关系，评估了个体化护理计划（ICP）随时间对衰弱状况的影响。该研究纳入了125名65岁及以上的老年人，他们是通过“罗马第二大学托尔韦尔加塔分校”这个健康与积极老龄化参考站点招募而来的。使用简短功能老年评估（SFGE）问卷在T0（基线）和T1（六个月随访）时评估参与者的衰弱状况。SFGE评估多维衰弱，涵盖心理生理和社会经济领域。老年人根据四个衰弱水平进行分类：强健、脆弱前期、衰弱和非常衰弱。在T0时被确定为脆弱前期、衰弱或非常衰弱的参与者还接受了“Sunfrail+”测试，该测试进一步调查生物心理社会领域。为每位患者制定了基于多维评估的ICP：与他们的全科医生共享，并建议进行专科就诊或康复干预。在为期六个月的研究期间，32%的参与者衰弱类别发生了变化。15.2%的人有所改善，16.8%的人恶化，68%的人没有变化。脆弱前期个体改善更为常见，而恶化主要发生在强健个体中。分析表明，社会和心理维度与衰弱状况的改善/恶化之间存在显著相关性。表现出改善的参与者报告社交活动增加且心理健康状况改善，而恶化的参与者报告社交活动减少且社会经济和心理状况下降。该研究表明，SFGE是识别衰弱状况变化的有价值工具，并且社交网络和心理健康是老年人衰弱状况的重要因素。旨在加强老年人社交网络的干预措施可能有助于预防或延缓衰弱的发生。
