Predictors of frailty among older adults

Abstract

Introduction: Frailty is a common geriatric syndrome characterized by reduced physiological reserve and increased vulnerability to adverse health outcomes, including falls, hospitalization, functional decline, and mortality. Identifying sociodemographic characteristics and health-related behaviors associated with frailty is essential for planning preventive interventions and improving health outcomes in older adults. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the prevalence of frailty among older adults and to determine its association with sociodemographic characteristics, age, and selected health-related behaviors. Methods: The study included 156 adults aged 65 and older from Vukovar-Srijem County. Data were collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire that included a health-related behavior section. Frailty was assessed using the Edmonton Frailty Scale. Mann–Whitney U test and Kruskal–Wallis test were used to determine differences in frailty scores between groups, while Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to examine the relationship between age and frailty. Multiple linear regression was used to examine predictors of frailty within the study population. Results: The median frailty score was 8 (IQR 5–11), indicating mild frailty in the overall sample. Frailty was significantly higher among women, respondents living in rural areas, those with lower education, and those with poorer financial status. Frailty was higher among participants who did not engage in physical activity, did not maintain a proper diet, did not attend regular preventive check-ups, and were not socially active. Age was positively correlated with frailty (rho = 0.534, P < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that financial status, physical activity, social engagement, and regular preventive check-ups were significant independent predictors of frailty, explaining 55.7% of the variance. Conclusion: Frailty in older adults is associated with socioeconomic status and health-related behaviors. Interventions aimed at promoting physical activity, preventive care, and social engagement may help reduce frailty and improve health outcomes in older populations.