The frequency of frailty syndrome and its associated factors among the elderly in Kashan city in 2020

Abstract

Background and Aim: Frailty is a challenging syndrome that can lead to injuries, disability, frequent hospitalizations, premature death, and decreased quality of life in old age. This study aimed to assess the frequency of frailty syndrome and its related factors among the elderly population of Kashan city, Iran, in 2020. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 644 elderly individuals in Kashan, Iran, using cluster sampling. The study utilized a health variables questionnaire, the Tilburg Frailty Index (TFI), and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) as assessment tools. Results: The mean age of the elderly participants was 67.03±6.8 years, with 336 individuals (52.2%) being women. Among the elderly, 213 (33.1%) were identified as having frailty syndrome. A comparison of different dimensions of frailty revealed that the physical dimension scored lowest while the social dimension scored highest. Logistic regression analysis indicated that factors such as age 70 years and older, living alone, presence of underlying diseases, dissatisfaction with living environment, and history of falls were predictive of frailty syndrome among the elderly (P<0.05). Conclusion: Approximately one-third of the elderly population in Kashan city experiences frailty syndrome, emphasizing the importance of identifying at-risk individuals and implementing preventive measures to mitigate the consequences of frailty. Given the high score for social frailty dimension, it is crucial to enhance support for the elderly through family and social systems by encouraging their participation in cultural and social activities.

Keywords

• frailty syndrome
• old age
• physical frailty
• psychological frailty
• social frailty