The impact of low back pain and disability on frailty levels in older women: longitudinal data from the BACE-Brazil cohort

Key summary points Aim To verify longitudinal the association between low back pain intensity and the level of disability in relation to the transition between levels of frailty in older women. Findings Follow-up at 6 and 12 months was associated with changes to worse frailty levels. Elderly women who had more severe pain and greater disability were more susceptible to transition to pre-frailty and frailty levels. Message This study reinforces the importance of evaluating and addressing the frailty syndrome in elderly women with low back pain in clinical settings. Methods This is a longitudinal observational study with a convenience subsample from the international Back Complaints in the Elders (BACE)-Brazil. Frailty was assessed by researchers at baseline, 6 and 12 months according to the Frailty Phenotype. Pain was assessed using a Numerical Pain Scale (NPS). Disability was assessed using the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire. Results A total of 155 older women (70.4 ± 5.4 years) participated. Follow-up for 6 and 12 months in this study was associated with a change of older women to worse frailty levels (OR = 2.83, 95% CI 1.98–4.67; p