Factors associated to the frailty phenotype components among hospitalized elderly patients

Abstract The aim of this study was to verify the factors associated with the frailty phenotype components among hospitalized elderly patients. This is a crosssectional and analytical study with 255 elderly patients admitted to the Medical and Surgical Clinic units at a General Hospital of Uberaba-MG. The following instruments were used: Frailty phenotype according to Fried, Scales (Short Geriatric Depression, Katz and Lawton and Brody) and structured questionnaire with socioeconomic and health data. Descriptive, bivariate and logistic regression analyses were performed (p <0.05). The frailty phenotype components with the highest percentages were slow gait speed (40.0%) and self-report of exhaustion and/or fatigue (38.8%). The following associated factors were identified: self-report of exhaustion and/or fatigue [depression indicative (OR: 3.12; CI: 1.69-5.75)]; decreased muscle strength [advanced age (OR:2.20; CI: 1.40-3.47); absence of partner (OR: 1.86, CI: 1.023.39); inability to perform basic (OR: 2.38; CI: 1.27-4.44) and instrumental (OR: 2.53; CI: 1.29-4.97) activities of the daily living]; slow gait speed [women (OR:2.13; CI:1.16-3.92), advanced age (OR:2.90; CI:1.82-4.61), inability to perform instrumental activities of the daily living (OR:2.08; CI:1.14-3.77); and low level of physical activity [advanced age (OR: 1.57; CI: 1.01-2.44)]. The frailty phenotype components were associated with socioeconomic and health variables. The identification of the factors associated to the frailty phenotype components demonstrates the relevance for the development of preventive strategies in order to postpone this condition as well as follow-up actions at this level of service.