Prevalence of phenotypic frailty during the aging process in a Portuguese community

Abstract

The present study is based on the conceptual model defined by Fried which explains phenotypic frailty through the presence of the following criteria: weight loss; exhaustion; low physical activity; slowness and weakness. The aim of the present study was to identify the behaviour of phenotypic frailty and outline the profile of the frail elderly person. In order to do this, a random stratified sample of 339 individuals residing in the community was obtained. A frailty protocol was developed, composed of measures related to the aging process and phenotypic frailty. The results indicated a high prevalence of this syndrome (34.9%). It occurs more frequently among women (40.9%) and at more advanced ages (60.4%). The criteria that appeared most frequently in association with frailty are low physical activity (88.9%) and slowness (86.4%). Frail elderly individuals were characterized by being widow/separated/divorced (46.7%); illiterate (71.1%); living within a family with some degree of dependence (41.6%); living in unsuitable conditions (44.9%); having limited social relations (54.2%) and not receiving social support (37.6%). It can be concluded that frailty is a prevalent condition, and that the profile of the frail individual is associated with a set of characteristics that result in greater vulnerability, which suggests possible areas of intervention to minimize and delay this syndrome.

Keywords

• idoso
• envelhecimento
• fragilidade