ABSTRACT
Objective:
to investigate the association between physical frailty and quality of life in elderly users of primary health care in the capital of the state of Paraná.
Method:
a cross-sectional, quantitative study with 203 elders. Data collected included: physical activity questionnaires, weight loss, fatigue/exhaustion, quality of life, performance of gait speed tests, and handgrip strength.
Results:
of the 203 older adults, 115 were pre-frail, 49 were non-frail, and 39 were frail, with a significant association with functional capacity and quality of life in all groups. The dimensions resulting from physical aspects, pain, and vitality were associated with those that were non-frail.
Conclusion:
in this study, frailty syndrome was inversely proportional to the quality of life, and significantly associated with functional capacity of older adults. Physical frailty is a manageable condition which can be targeted through geriatric nursing interventions.
Descriptors:
Aged; Frail Elderly; Quality of Life; Primary Health Care; Geriatric Nursing