Comparison Between Korean Version of Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly and International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form in Evaluation of Frailty Phenotype

Abstract

Background : Evaluation of frailty in older people requires assessment of their physical activity level. The Korean version of the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (K-PASE) questionnaire is more comprehensive, yet it can be time-consuming and costly to administer on a large scale. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) short form, which is simpler and free of charge, may replace the K-PASE for defining the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS) frailty phenotype. Methods : We analyzed data from 160 community-dwelling older adults (mean age: 75 years) who were administered both the K-PASE and IPAQ short form questionnaires as part of the assessments in the Aging Study of Pyeongchang Rural Area. We compared agreements between the 2 physical activity questionnaires and between the CHS frailty phenotype defined using the K-PASE and IPAQ short form. Correlations between each CHS frailty phenotype definition and common geriatric syndromes were assessed. Results : The physical activity level measured using the K-PASE correlated modestly with the level measured using the IPAQ short form (correlation coefficient, 0.250; p=0.001). However, the agreement was substantially higher between the CHS frailty phenotype based on the K-PASE and the definition based on the IPAQ short form (Cohen kappa, 0.625; p<0.001). Both frailty phenotype definitions were positively correlated with most geriatric conditions. Conclusion : The simpler IPAQ short form may replace the more comprehensive K-PASE for assessing CHS frailty phenotype in older people. Our results should inform frailty assessment in research and clinical care settings.

Keywords

• Frail elderly
• Cohort studies
• Exercise
• Motor activity
• Physical activity