Citation

Zazzetta MS, Gomes GA, Orlandi FS, Gratão AC, Vasilceac FA, Gramani-Say K, Ponti MA, Castro PC, Pavarini SC, Menezes AL, Nascimento CM, Cominetti MR. J. Fraility Aging 2017; 6(1): 29-32.

Affiliation

Dr. Marcia R. Cominetti, Federal University of São Carlos, Department of Gerontology, Rod. Washington Luis, Km 235, Monjolinho, São Carlos, SP, Brazil, CEP 13565-905. Phone: +55 16 3306 6663 Fax: +55 16 3351 9628. E-mail: mcominetti@ufscar.br.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Journal of frailty and aging)

DOI

10.14283/jfa.2016.116

PMID

28244555

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate a vulnerable population living in the context of poverty in a Brazilian municipality, in order to identify the factors that are associated with frailty syndrome in elderly people. From the total population living in the area, a random sample of 363 community-dwelling people, 60 years and older, age and gender-stratified, was selected to participate in the research. After losses, a sample of 304 older adults was classified as non-frail, pre-frail and frail. According to the Fried frailty criteria, the prevalence was 12.2% for non-frail individuals, 60.5% pre-frail and 27.3% frail. The main factors associated with frailty in the studied sample were low level of physical activity (OR: 5.2, 95%CI: 2.5-11.0), the occurrence of two or more falls within 12 months (OR: 3.1, 95%CI: 1.4-7.1), mobility deficits (OR: 3.0, 95%CI: 1.5-5.8), and depressive symptoms (OR: 1.9, 95%CI: 1.1-3.7). This study identified the most important factors that must be evaluated to identify frailty syndrome in a socially vulnerable population in the context of poverty. The data should help to encourage effective strategies concerning public health policies for this population.

Language: en

Keywords

Aging; cognition; elderly; frailty; social vulnerability