1.Influencing factors for frailty among convalescent elderly population
ZHANG Kangfeng ; LU Meijia ; XU Xiajuan ; WU Du
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;36(9):781-785
Objective:
To analyze the factors affecting frailty among convalescent elderly population, so as to provide the evidence for prevention and treatment of frailty.
Methods:
The convalescent elderly population at ages of 60 years and older were selected from the Wuyunshan Hospital in Hangzhou City using the convenience sampling method from April 2022 to April 2024. Demographic information, chronic disease and medication were collected using questionnaire survey. Frailty was assessed using the FRAIL Scale. Factors affecting frailty among convalescent elderly population were analyzed using a multivariable ordinal logistic regression model.
Results:
A total of 1 050 questionnaires were distributed, and 1 023 valid questionnaires were collected, with a response rate of 97.43%. There were 793 males (77.52%) and 230 females (22.48%); 192 respondents aged 60 to <70 years (18.77%), 431 respondents aged 70 to <80 years (42.13%) and 400 respondents aged ≥80 years (39.10%); 718 respondents with university degree (70.19%); 890 respondents with a monthly income of 10 000 yuan to <20 000 yuan (87.00%); 130 respondents with comorbidity and polypharmacy (12.71%); and 197 respondents with the risk of malnutrition (19.26%). There were 202 cases with pre-frailty (19.75%) and 47 cases with frailty (4.59%). Multivariable ordinal logistic regression analysis showed that the convalescent elderly population who were aged ≥80 years (OR=3.710, 95%CI: 2.340-5.883), with comorbidity and polypharmacy (OR=12.370, 95%CI: 7.949-20.369) and with the risk of malnutrition (OR=5.414, 95%CI: 3.691-7.933) had higher risk of frailty.
Conclusion
The high risk of frailty among convalescent elderly population is associated with age, comorbidity and polypharmacy, and malnutrition.