Evaluation of the state of frailty in older adults using the FRAIL scale
Abstract
Introduction: Population aging occurs in a heterogeneous manner, and this has profound implications for the planning and provision of health and social care, with frailty becoming a silent epidemic that affects older adults. This syndrome is potentially reversible with a multicomponent intervention. Primary health care is the preferred place for the diagnosis and monitoring of frailty, through scales such as the FRAIL scale.
Objective: To evaluate the state of frailty in a sample of older adults applying the FRAIL scale.
Methods: An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out. The study universe consisted of 468 elderly people, where an intentional sample of 100 older adults was selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. The primary sources being observation and interview and as secondary sources the family health histories of the corresponding office, the individual medical records of each patient and a form that included the following variables: socio-demographic characteristics (age groups, sex), health conditions (comorbilities) and frailty status.
Results: The study was dominated by adults aged 70-79 years, female and with high blood pressure. The state of frailty was more frequent in 45% of the sample. A breakdown of the results is carried out according to sex, with the state of fragility predominating in women with 25% above the 20% obtained in men. Demonstrating the prevalence of the state of fragility in the selected sample, with a greater predisposition in the female population.
Conclusions: It is concluded that there is a greater frequency of frail older adults, so this study seeks to draw attention to the importance of evaluating frailty in all geriatric patients, in order to detect it in time and avoid the development of dependency and disability.
DeCS: FRAIL ELDERLY; FRAILTY; PRIMARY HEALTH CARE, OBSERVATIONAL STUDY; PREVALENCIA.
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References
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