Factors Associated with Frailty: A Population Based-study among the Rural Elderly Community

Abstract

The aims of this study were (I) to identify factors associated with frailty and (2) to determine the ability of the identified factors to predict frailty among the rural elderly community-dwellers. Method: One hundred randomly selected elderly community dwellers, who were 65 to 80 years old, completed the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Physical Performance Test (PP7) and Questionnaires. Logistic regression models showed that cognitive function. As measured by the Mini-MenIal State Examination, had the strongest association with frailty; education, age, and Geriatric Depression Scale were also significant indicators of low risk of frailty. COl/elusion: The interrelated natllre of cognitive function and fonctional statllS found in the present study highlights the importance of cognitive impairment on frailty; since cognitive junction had the strongest association with physical frailty to an extent greater than any of the other variables measured, adding a 'realment regimen that stimulates cognitive function may further enhance functional level or prevent decline of functional status compared with prescribing exercise intervention alone.