Factors correlated with the frailty of elderly in outpatient care: difference between age groups^a

Abstract

Objective

to correlate socio-demographic and health variables of elderly people of different age groups with frailty.

Method

this is a quantitative, cross-sectional study conducted with 50 elderly individuals seen at a Gerontology Outpatient Clinic in the interior of São Paulo. Socio-demographic and health data were collected, including: frailty, cognitive performance, dependence on Basic and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, and depressive symptoms. For data analysis, the Spearman correlation test was used.

Results

there was a predominance of women, with a mean age of 79.4 (±9.4) years and low education. A total of 58.3% of the elderly aged between 60 and 79 years and 84.6% of those above 80 years were considered frail. In the first group, there was a correlation between frailty and a higher number of medications, worse cognitive performance, and dependence on Basic and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living. In the oldest old, frailty correlated with a greater number of morbidities, worse cognitive performance, and dependence on Basic and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living.

Conclusion and implications for practice

the correlations found allow the establishment of measures to improve the planning of actions aimed at outpatient care, enabling the organization of prevention and intervention priorities.

Keywords:
Outpatient Clinics; Ambulatory Care; Elderly; Frail Elderly; Health of the Elderly