Linking Myocardial Infarction and Frailty Status at Old Age in Europe: Moderation Effects of Country and Gender

Abstract

Background: Myocardial infarction (MI) is a serious condition affecting a considerable number of individuals, with important clinical consequences. Understanding the associated factors is crucial for effective management and prevention. This study aimed to (1) examine the association between MI and frailty in a sample of older European adults and (2) investigate the moderating effects of country and gender on this association. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 22,356 Europeans aged 60 years and older was conducted. The data come from the sixth wave of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe. Frailty, MI, gender, and country were studied. Results: Frailty is strongly associated with MI. Robust older adults are 13.31 times more likely not to have an MI. However, these odds drop to 5.09 if pre-frail and to 2.73 if frail. Gender, but not country, moderates this relationship. There is a strong association between MI and frailty in men, whereas for women, the association is not as strong. Conclusions: Frailty is highly associated with MI in European older adults. Country did not moderate the link between frailty and MI but gender does, with the relationship being notably stronger in men. The frailty–MI association remained significant even when controlling for a number of personal conditions and comorbidities.

Keywords

• ischemic heart disease
• myocardial infarction
• frailty
• gender
• European older adults