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Doody P, Lord JM, Greig CA, Whittaker AC. Frailty: Pathophysiology, Theoretical and Operational Definition(s), Impact, Prevalence, Management and Prevention, in an Increasingly Economically Developed and Ageing World. Gerontology 2022; 69:927-945. [PMID: 36476630 PMCID: PMC10568610 DOI: 10.1159/000528561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The world's population is ageing, and most older adults experience a later life burdened with disease and disability. Frailty is a multidimensional and dynamic condition characterized by declines in reserve and function across multiple physiological systems, such that the ability to cope with every day or acute stressors becomes compromised. It is projected to become one of the most serious public health challenges economically developed societies will face in the coming century. This review provides a comprehensive overview of frailty, exploring its pathophysiology, theoretical and operational definition(s), impact, prevalence, management, and prevention, within the context of its emergence as a major public health challenge, in an increasingly economically developed and ageing world. Further, this review discusses the major limitations, deficiencies, and knowledge gaps presently within the field, and future research directions pertinent to the advancement of frailty research and the promotion of healthy longevity among the increasing global population of older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Doody
- School of Sport, Exercise, and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, Medical Sciences Division, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Janet M. Lord
- MRC-Versus Arthritis Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Birmingham., Birmingham, UK
| | - Carolyn A. Greig
- School of Sport, Exercise, and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- MRC-Versus Arthritis Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Birmingham., Birmingham, UK
| | - Anna C. Whittaker
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK
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Doody P, Asamane EA, Aunger JA, Swales B, Lord JM, Greig CA, Whittaker AC. The prevalence of frailty and pre-frailty among geriatric hospital inpatients and its association with economic prosperity and healthcare expenditure: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 467,779 geriatric hospital inpatients. Ageing Res Rev 2022; 80:101666. [PMID: 35697143 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2022.101666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Frailty is a common and clinically significant condition among geriatric populations. Although well-evidenced pooled estimates of the prevalence of frailty exist within various settings and populations, presently there are none assessing the overall prevalence of frailty among geriatric hospital inpatients. The purpose of this review was to systematically search and analyse the prevalence of frailty among geriatric hospital inpatients within the literature and examine its associations with national economic indicators. METHODS Systematic searches were conducted on Ovid, Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL Plus, and the Cochrane Library, encompassing all literature published prior to 22 November 2018, supplemented with manual reference searches. Included studies utilised a validated operational definition of frailty, reported the prevalence of frailty, had a minimum age ≥ 65 years, attempted to assess the whole ward/clinical population, and occurred among hospital inpatients. Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed study quality. RESULTS Ninety-six studies with a pooled sample of 467,779 geriatric hospital inpatients were included. The median critical appraisal score was 8/9 (range 7-9). The pooled prevalence of frailty, and pre-frailty, among geriatric hospital inpatients was 47.4% (95% CI 43.7-51.1%), and 25.8% (95% CI 22.0-29.6%), respectively. Significant differences were observed in the prevalence of frailty stratified by age, prevalent morbidity, ward type, clinical population, and operational definition. No significant differences were observed in stratified analyses by sex or continent, or significant associations between the prevalence of frailty and economic indicators. CONCLUSIONS Frailty is highly prevalent among geriatric hospital inpatients. High heterogeneity exists within this setting based on various clinical and demographic characteristics. Pooled estimates reported in this review place the prevalence of frailty among geriatric hospital inpatients between that reported for community-dwelling older adults and older adults in nursing homes, outlining an increase in the relative prevalence of frailty with progression through the healthcare system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Doody
- School of Sport, Exercise, and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom; The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland; Mercer's Institute for Successful Ageing, St. James Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland.
| | - Evans A Asamane
- School of Sport, Exercise, and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom; Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Justin A Aunger
- School of Sport, Exercise, and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom; School of Health Sciences, University of Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Bridgitte Swales
- School of Sport, Exercise, and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom; Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling, United Kingdom
| | - Janet M Lord
- MRC-Versus Arthritis Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom; NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Carolyn A Greig
- School of Sport, Exercise, and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom; MRC-Versus Arthritis Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom; NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Anna C Whittaker
- School of Sport, Exercise, and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom; Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling, United Kingdom
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Feasibility of reducing frailty components in older adults with Alzheimer's dementia: a randomized controlled home-based exercise trial (AD-HOMEX). Exp Gerontol 2021; 150:111390. [PMID: 33962026 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2021.111390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2021] [Revised: 04/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES There is a need for interventions to reduce frailty in older people with Alzheimer's dementia (AD). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a home-based multimodal exercise program for older adults with AD (AD-HOMEX) on frailty. DESIGN A parallel single-blind randomized controlled trial comparing a home-based exercise program and usual care. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS A home-based program in Brazil. Forty individuals aged 65years or older with mild to moderate AD. METHODS The intervention group (IG) participated in a 16-week protocol involving three 60-minute sessions per week of progressive individualized physical exercises supervised by a physical therapist. The participants in the control group (CG) maintained their usual care. Frailty was assessed using the FRAIL questionnaire, the Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS) and a subjective assessment by the evaluator (SAE) at baseline and follow-up. Per-protocol analysis was performed. RESULTS Thirty-five participants completed the program (IG = 16; CG = 19). Frailty improved in the IG based on the EFS (P = .004) and FRAIL (P ≤ .001). An interaction between group and time (P = .008) and a significant difference between times (P = .047) were found for the SAE responsiveness domain. An improvement in the classification of frailty (EFS and FRAIL) was found between times in the IG (P = .003) and between groups at follow-up (P = .027). A significant difference in the SAE classification was found between groups at follow-up (P = .034), with a worsening between times in the CG (P = .032). Interestingly, a more favorable frailty transition pattern was found in the IG based on both the EFS and FRAIL. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS AD-HOMEX seems to reduce frailty and improve frailty transition patterns. Our findings provide a further theoretical basis for designing home-based physical interventions as routine practice for older frail adults with AD.
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Furtado GE, Letieri RV, Silva-Caldo A, Trombeta JCS, Monteiro C, Rodrigues RN, Vieira-Pedrosa A, Barros MP, Cavaglieri CR, Hogervorst E, Teixeira AM, Ferreira JP. Combined Chair-Based Exercises Improve Functional Fitness, Mental Well-Being, Salivary Steroid Balance, and Anti-microbial Activity in Pre-frail Older Women. Front Psychol 2021; 12:564490. [PMID: 33841224 PMCID: PMC8026892 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.564490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Regular exercise has long been shown to positively impact the immune system responsiveness and improve mental well-being (MWB). However, the putative links between biomarkers of mental health and immune efficiency in exercising subjects have been scarcely investigated. The aim of this study was to verify the effect of a 14-week combined chair-based exercise program (CEP) on salivary steroid hormones and anti-microbial proteins, functional fitness, and MWB indexes in pre-frail older women. Methods The participant women (82.8 4.6 years old; n = 32) were randomly divided into the exercising group (CEP, n = 17) and the non-exercising control group (CG, n = 15). The pre/post assessment included: (1) salivary anti-microbial proteins lysozyme; (Lys) and immunoglobulin-A (IgA); (2) salivary steroid hormones of testosterone (TT) and cortisol (COR); (3) functional fitness (gait speed, hand grip strength, and static balance); (4) MWB questionnaires (happiness, depression state, satisfaction with life, and stress). Results Significant differences with large Cohen's (d) effect sizes were found on increased salivary TT (p < 0.05; d = 0.60) after exercise intervention. The results revealed a decrease in IgA levels after CEP (p < 0.01, d = 0.30). The increase in subjective happiness levels (p < 0.05, d = 0.30) and decrease of stress perception (p < 0.01, d = 2.60) and depressive state (p < 0.05, d = 0.30) were found after intervention in the CEP group. Robust statistical differences in gait speed (p < 0.05; d = 0.60) and balance tests (p < 0.05; d = 0.80) were also found in the CEP group. In control, COR increased moderately (p < 0.05; d = 0.65) while no changes were found for the other indicators. Correlation analyses showed inter-dependence between pre-post variations of MWB, biochemical indexes, and fitness function (e.g., COR inverse correlation with hand grip strength and balance tests). Conclusion The CEP program was able to improve functional-fitness performance, decrease feelings of stress, and increase happiness. The CEP also induced clinically relevant hormonal and immune responses, which suggests that chair exercises that combine muscular strength, balance, and gait speed training are promising interventions to improve physical and mental health of older pre-frail adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme Eustáquio Furtado
- Research Unit in Sport and Physical Activity-CIDAF (UID/PTD/04213/2020), Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education (FCDEF-UC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Health Sciences Research Unit: Nursing (UICISA:E), Nursing School of Coimbra (ESEnfC), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rubens Vinícius Letieri
- Rehabilitation Sciences Program, Federal University of Alfenas (UNIFAL), Alfenas, Brazil.,Multidisciplinary Research Nucleus in Physical Education (NIMEF), Physical Education Department, Federal University of Tocantins (UFT), Tocantinópolis, Brazil
| | - Adriana Silva-Caldo
- Research Unit in Sport and Physical Activity-CIDAF (UID/PTD/04213/2020), Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education (FCDEF-UC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Joice C S Trombeta
- Exercise Physiology Laboratory (FISEX), Faculty of Physical Education, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Clara Monteiro
- Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapy Laboratory, Federal University of São Carlos (UFscar), São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Rafael Nogueira Rodrigues
- Research Unit in Sport and Physical Activity-CIDAF (UID/PTD/04213/2020), Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education (FCDEF-UC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Vieira-Pedrosa
- Research Unit in Sport and Physical Activity-CIDAF (UID/PTD/04213/2020), Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education (FCDEF-UC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Marcelo Paes Barros
- Institute of Physical Activity Sciences and Sports (ICAFE), Interdisciplinary Program in Health Sciences, Cruzeiro do Sul University, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Cláudia Regina Cavaglieri
- Exercise Physiology Laboratory (FISEX), Faculty of Physical Education, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil.,Graduate Program in Gerontology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Eef Hogervorst
- Applied Cognitive Research NCSEM, Loughborough University, Loughborough, United Kingdom
| | - Ana Maria Teixeira
- Research Unit in Sport and Physical Activity-CIDAF (UID/PTD/04213/2020), Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education (FCDEF-UC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - José Pedro Ferreira
- Research Unit in Sport and Physical Activity-CIDAF (UID/PTD/04213/2020), Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education (FCDEF-UC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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