Frailty and associated risk factors in independent older people living in rural areas

Background: The diagnosis of the frailty syndrome is essential in the planning of elderly health interventions. Objective: To assess the prevalence of frailty among older people living in rural communities and its associated factors. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 435 elderly subjects who were classified according to the frailty phenotype. The following instruments were also applied: Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ), Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), Barthel Index (BI), and Lawton And Brody Instrumental Activities Of Daily Living (IADL) Scale. Association tests, mean comparison tests, and correlation analysis (p < 0.05) were used. Results: The sample (74.3 ± 7.1 years) was predominantly female (62.3%) and showed prevalence rates of 33.3% for non-frailty, 46.2% for pre-frailty, and 20.5% for frailty. Frailty was associated with self-perceived health, pain intensity, use of walking aids, and sensory problems. Frail older people were more dependent on activities of daily living. Conclusion: Stronger correlations were found between frailty and the CCI and ELB scores, age, and number of medications per day, in this order.