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Sciacchitano S, Carola V, Nicolais G, Sciacchitano S, Napoli C, Mancini R, Rocco M, Coluzzi F. To Be Frail or Not to Be Frail: This Is the Question-A Critical Narrative Review of Frailty. J Clin Med 2024; 13:721. [PMID: 38337415 PMCID: PMC10856357 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13030721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Many factors have contributed to rendering frailty an emerging, relevant, and very popular concept. First, many pandemics that have affected humanity in history, including COVID-19, most recently, have had more severe effects on frail people compared to non-frail ones. Second, the increase in human life expectancy observed in many developed countries, including Italy has led to a rise in the percentage of the older population that is more likely to be frail, which is why frailty is much a more common concern among geriatricians compared to other the various health-care professionals. Third, the stratification of people according to the occurrence and the degree of frailty allows healthcare decision makers to adequately plan for the allocation of available human professional and economic resources. Since frailty is considered to be fully preventable, there are relevant consequences in terms of potential benefits both in terms of the clinical outcome and healthcare costs. Frailty is becoming a popular, pervasive, and almost omnipresent concept in many different contexts, including clinical medicine, physical health, lifestyle behavior, mental health, health policy, and socio-economic planning sciences. The emergence of the new "science of frailty" has been recently acknowledged. However, there is still debate on the exact definition of frailty, the pathogenic mechanisms involved, the most appropriate method to assess frailty, and consequently, who should be considered frail. This narrative review aims to analyze frailty from many different aspects and points of view, with a special focus on the proposed pathogenic mechanisms, the various factors that have been considered in the assessment of frailty, and the emerging role of biomarkers in the early recognition of frailty, particularly on the role of mitochondria. According to the extensive literature on this topic, it is clear that frailty is a very complex syndrome, involving many different domains and affecting multiple physiological systems. Therefore, its management should be directed towards a comprehensive and multifaceted holistic approach and a personalized intervention strategy to slow down its progression or even to completely reverse the course of this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Sciacchitano
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy;
- Unit of Anaesthesia, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, Sant’Andrea University Hospital, 00189 Rome, Italy; (M.R.); (F.C.)
- Department of Life Sciences, Health and Health Professions, Link Campus University, 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Valeria Carola
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy; (V.C.); (G.N.)
| | - Giampaolo Nicolais
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy; (V.C.); (G.N.)
| | - Simona Sciacchitano
- Department of Psychiatry, La Princesa University Hospital, 28006 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Christian Napoli
- Department of Surgical and Medical Science and Translational Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy;
| | - Rita Mancini
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy;
| | - Monica Rocco
- Unit of Anaesthesia, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, Sant’Andrea University Hospital, 00189 Rome, Italy; (M.R.); (F.C.)
- Department of Surgical and Medical Science and Translational Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy;
| | - Flaminia Coluzzi
- Unit of Anaesthesia, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, Sant’Andrea University Hospital, 00189 Rome, Italy; (M.R.); (F.C.)
- Department Medical and Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Polo Pontino, 04100 Latina, Italy
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Lee H, Choi JY, Kim SW, Ko KP, Park YS, Kim KJ, Shin J, Kim CO, Ko MJ, Kang SJ, Kim KI. Digital Health Technology Use Among Older Adults: Exploring the Impact of Frailty on Utilization, Purpose, and Satisfaction in Korea. J Korean Med Sci 2024; 39:e7. [PMID: 38193326 PMCID: PMC10782036 DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2024.39.e7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The importance of digital technology is increasing among older adults. In this study, the digital health technology utilization status, purpose, and satisfaction of older adults were investigated according to frailty. METHODS A face-to-face survey was conducted among adults aged 65 years or older. Frailty was defined using the Korean version of the fatigue, resistance, ambulation, illnesses, and loss of weight scale. RESULTS A total of 505 participants completed the survey, with 153 (30.3%) identified as pre-frail or frail and 352 (69.7%) as healthy. All respondents used smartphones; 440 (87.1%) were application users, and 290 (57.4%) were healthcare application users. Wearable devices were used by only 36 patients (7.1%). Pre-frail or frail respondents used social media more frequently than healthy respondents (19.4% vs. 7.4%, P < 0.001). Among the respondents, 319 (63.2%) were not able to install or delete the application themselves, and 277 (54.9%) stated that the application was recommended by their children (or partner). Pre-frail and frail respondents used more healthcare applications to obtain health information (P = 0.002) and were less satisfied with wearable devices (P = 0.02). CONCLUSION The usage rate of digital devices, including mobile phones among older adults in Korea is high, whereas that of wearable devices is low. There was a notable difference in the services used by pre-frail and frail respondents compared to healthy respondents. Therefore, when developing digital devices for pre-frail and frail older adults, it is crucial to incorporate customized services that meet their unique needs, particularly those services that they frequently use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyejin Lee
- Department of Family Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
- Department of Family Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jung-Yeon Choi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sun-Wook Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kwang-Pil Ko
- Clinical Preventive Medicine Center, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Yang Sun Park
- Devision of Geriatrics, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University of College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Institute for Innovation in Digital Healthcare, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kwang Joon Kim
- Devision of Geriatrics, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University of College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Institute for Innovation in Digital Healthcare, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jaeyong Shin
- Department of Preventive Medicine & Institute of Health Services Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Chang Oh Kim
- Devision of Geriatrics, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University of College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Myung Jin Ko
- Silvia Health, Seoul, Korea
- Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | | | - Kwang-Il Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
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Turimov Mustapoevich D, Kim W. Machine Learning Applications in Sarcopenia Detection and Management: A Comprehensive Survey. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:2483. [PMID: 37761680 PMCID: PMC10531485 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11182483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
This extensive review examines sarcopenia, a condition characterized by a loss of muscle mass, stamina, and physical performance, with a particular emphasis on its detection and management using contemporary technologies. It highlights the lack of global agreement or standardization regarding the definition of sarcopenia and the various techniques used to measure muscle mass, stamina, and physical performance. The distinctive criteria employed by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) and the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGSOP) for diagnosing sarcopenia are examined, emphasizing potential obstacles in comparing research results across studies. The paper delves into the use of machine learning techniques in sarcopenia detection and diagnosis, noting challenges such as data accessibility, data imbalance, and feature selection. It suggests that wearable devices, like activity trackers and smartwatches, could offer valuable insights into sarcopenia progression and aid individuals in monitoring and managing their condition. Additionally, the paper investigates the potential of blockchain technology and edge computing in healthcare data storage, discussing models and systems that leverage these technologies to secure patient data privacy and enhance personal health information management. However, it acknowledges the limitations of these models and systems, including inefficiencies in handling large volumes of medical data and the lack of dynamic selection capability. In conclusion, the paper provides a comprehensive summary of current sarcopenia research, emphasizing the potential of modern technologies in enhancing the detection and management of the condition while also highlighting the need for further research to address challenges in standardization, data management, and effective technology use.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wooseong Kim
- Department of Computer Engineering, Gachon University, Sujeong-gu, Seongnam-si 461-701, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea;
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