Tarazona-Santabalbina FJ, Naval E, De la Cámara-de las Heras JM, Cunha-Pérez C, Viña J. Is Frailty Diagnosis Important in Patients with COPD? A Narrative Review of the Literature.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023;
20:1678. [PMID:
36767040 PMCID:
PMC9914667 DOI:
10.3390/ijerph20031678]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Frailty is prevalent in older adults and is related to a worsening functionality, quality of life, and health outcomes. Though there is an increasing interest in this field, the relationship between frailty and worsening COPD outcomes remains unknown. A narrative review of the literature with studies published between 2018 and 2022 was carried out to address three questions: the prevalence of frailty and other geriatric syndromes in COPD patients, the link between frailty and worsening health outcomes in COPD patients, and the non-pharmacological interventions performed in order to reverse frailty in these patients. A total of 25 articles were selected. Frailty prevalence ranged from 6% and 85.9%, depending on the COPD severity and the frailty measurement tool used. Frailty in COPD patients was related to a high prevalence of geriatric syndromes and to a high incidence of adverse events such as exacerbations, admissions, readmissions, and mortality. One study showed improvements in functionality after physical intervention. In conclusion, the prevalence of frailty is associated with a high incidence of geriatric syndromes and adverse events in COPD patients. The use of frailty screenings and a comprehensive geriatric assessment of COPD patients is advisable in order to detect associated problems and to establish individualized approaches for better outcomes.
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