Table 3 Frailty parameters associated with the occurrence of adverse events among community-dwelling individuals aged 50–65 years.

From: Several frailty parameters highly prevalent in middle age (50–65) are independent predictors of adverse events

Characteristics

Composite outcomea

OR [95% CI]b

P-valueb

No event

N = 272

At least one event

N = 68

Age, yearc

59 [56–62]

59 [56–62]

 

0.87

Sex (female)

184 (67.6)

60 (88.2)

3.64 [1.66–7.95]

0.001

Education, yearc

14 [11–15]

12 [9.5–15]

0.93 [0.85–1.01]

0.09

Living alone

62 (22.8)

31 (45.6)

3.00 [1.71–5.26]

 < 0.001

Retired

96 (35.6)

24 (35.3)

 

0.90

Number of comorbiditiesc

1 [0–1]

1 [0–1.5]

 

0.49

Nutrition

Unintentional weight loss in the past year

Regardless of amount lost

38 (15.2)

5 (7.8)

 

0.21

 > 4.5 kg (Shrinking)

14 (5.5)

2 (3.1)

 

0.53

Mobility, muscle strength and activity

Number of steps/day < 7500

109 (47.4)

24 (45.3)

 

0.75

Gait speed m/sc

1.4 [1.3–1.7]

1.4 [1.3–1.7]

 

0.68

Low level of physical activityd

97 (38.2)

22 (36.7)

 

0.94

Slowness (gait speed < 1 m/s)

3 (1.1)

2 (2.9)

 

0.30

Appendicular lean mass index < 7.23 (males) or < 5.67 (females)

30 (11.0)

10 (14.7)

 

0.33

Completion time in a five-time sit-to-stand test ≥ 11.19 s

18 (6.8)

7 (10.6)

 

0.37

Weaknesse

71 (26.2)

26 (39.4)

1.82 [1.04–3.21]

0.04

Sarcopenia

11 (4.0)

5 (7.5)

 

0.20

Balance

Failure to resist a sternal push

15 (5.7)

2 (3.0)

 

0.35

Ankle dorsiflexion < 20°

66 (25.2)

29 (43.3)

2.21 [1.26–3.87]

0.006

Cognition

MMSE ≤ lower quartile according to age and educational level

45 (16.9)

6 (9.0)

 

0.15

Five-word test score < 10

7 (2.6)

1 (1.5)

 

0.54

Seven-point clock-drawing test < 7

59 (21.7)

18 (27.3)

 

0.27

Frontal assessment battery < 16

27 (10.0)

15 (22.4)

2.54 [1.26–5.13]

0.009

Time to walk 10 m during a dual task, sc

Motor dual task

7 [6–8]

7 [6.5–8]

 

0.64

Cognitive dual task

7.2 [6.5–8]

7.8 [6.5–9]

 

0.86

Mood

Depressive symptoms (GDS ≥ 11/30 or 5/15)

31 (13.1)

10 (18.9)

 

0.24

Exhaustion

67 (27.3)

29 (46.8)

2.50 [1.40–4.48]

0.002

Non-accidental fall(s) in the past year

15 (5.6)

6 (9.0)

 

0.27

Non-robust according to the modified CHS criteriaf

183 (68.5)

53 (77.9)

1.72 [0.89–3.32]

0.10

Hearing impairmentg

38 (14.5)

11 (17.2)

 

0.38

  1. The data are quoted as the number (%), unless otherwise stated. Abbreviations: OR, odds ratio; CI, confidence interval; MMSE, Mini Mental State Examination; GDS, Geriatric Depression Scale; CHS, Cardiovascular Health Study.
  2. P-values < 0.05 have been put in bold.
  3. aThe composite outcome comprised the following adverse events: non-accidental falls (those not related to sports, DIY, or domestic accidents), fractures (hip, spine, and wrist), unplanned hospital admissions, and death. Some patients had multiple events.
  4. bLogistic regression analyses were adjusted for the length of follow-up.
  5. cReported as the median [interquartile range].
  6. dLow level of physical activity: no regular physical activity (walking, recreational sports, and other physical activities) and number of steps/day < 7500.
  7. eWeakness was defined as grip strength (kg), stratified by sex and body mass index.
  8. fThe modified CHS criteria were shrinking, self-reported exhaustion, weakness, slowness, and low physical activity (< 7500 steps/day and no regular physical activity). The number of positive items defined the individuals as frail (≥ 3), pre-frail (1–2) or robust (none); pre-frail and frail categories were pooled for the analysis.
  9. gAbnormal finger rub test or use of a hearing aid.
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