BMJ Open (Apr 2023)

Prevalence of cognitive frailty among older adults in China: a systematic review and meta-analysis

  • Jian Liu,
  • Zhiwei Wang,
  • Qian Liang,
  • Shengjia Xu,
  • Jiurui Wang,
  • Zeping Yan,
  • Xiaorong Luan

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-066630
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13, no. 4

Abstract

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Objective This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of cognitive frailty among older adults in China.Design Systematic review and meta-analysis.Methods We searched the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI), Wanfang, Chinese Biomedical Literature and Weipu (VIP) databases to collect information on the epidemiology of cognitive frailty among older adults in China. The study period was from the establishment of the database to March 2022. Two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted the data and assessed the risk of bias in the included studies. All statistical analyses were performed using Stata V.15.0.Results We screened 522 records, of which 28 met the inclusion criteria. The results of the meta-analysis showed that the prevalence of cognitive frailty among older adults in China was 15%(95%CI (0.13%,0.17%)). The prevalence of cognitive frailty was higher in hospitals and nursing homes than in communities. Moreover, the prevalence of cognitive frailty was higher in women than in men. Furthermore, the prevalence rates of cognitive frailty in North China Hospital, older adults aged≥80 years, and illiterate individuals were 25%, 29%, and 55%, respectively.Conclusions In conclusion, in China, the prevalence of cognitive frailty is higher among older adults, is higher in women than in men, is higher in hospitals and nursing homes than in communities, and is higher in North China than other regions. Moreover, the higher the educational level, the lower the prevalence of cognitive frailty. Multimodal interventions for cognitive frailty, including increased exercise, nutritional support, increased socialisation opportunities and multifactorial strategies, may be effective in preventing cognitive frailty. These findings have important implications for adjusting healthcare and social care systems.PROSPERO registration number CRD42023390486.