Dimensions and correlates of quality of life according to frailty status: a cross-sectional study on community-dwelling older adults referred to an outpatient geriatric service in Italy

Abstract Background Aging is a progressive and irreversible process that negatively affects the quality of life (QOL). Older adults face difficulties related to worsening health, lowering the level of physical and mental efficiency. We aimed to analyze the associations between physical fitness and QOL in Polish older adults considering sex differences. Methods This cross-sectional study was performed from March to August 2015. The sample consisted of 100 community-dwelling adults (67 women, 33 men) with a mean age of 82.94 ± 2.67 years. The World Health Organization QOL, Short Form questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF), and the Fullerton Functional Fitness Test (FFFT) were used. Biometric data, social and environmental situation, nutritional and lifestyle behaviors have been also collected using a questionnaire designed by the authors. Results The results obtained in individual domains of WHOWOL-BREF indicate a good level of QOL in all the examined domains. Statistically significant sex differences were obtained in physical (p = 0.01), psychological (p = 0.04) and environmental (p = 0.02) domains in WHOQOL-BREF. It was noted that men perform better in terms of the upper (arm curl, p < 0.001) and lower body strength (chair stand, p = 0.01), aerobic endurance (two-minute step test, p < 0.001), agility and dynamic balance (up and go test, p < 0.001) in FFFT. Conclusions Community-dwelling older adults aged 80–93 years in Poland present a good level of QOL, and the higher score was obtained in men. Also, men presented better physical fitness, showed a higher level of independence in daily activities, and assessed better their own QOL than women.

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Frailty and oral health-related quality of life in community-dwelling older adults: a cross-sectional study

Brazilian Oral Research ◽

10.1590/1807-3107bor-2021.vol35.0139 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 35 ◽

Author(s):

Roosevelt Silva BASTOS ◽

Leticia Marques SÁ ◽

Sofia Rafaela Maito VELASCO ◽

Debora Foger TEIXEIRA ◽

Larissa Sanches PAINO ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

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Actual Frailty Conditions and Lifestyle Changes in Community-Dwelling Older Adults Affected by Coronavirus Disease 2019 Countermeasures in Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study

SAGE Open Nursing ◽

10.1177/23779608211025117 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

pp. 237796082110251

Author(s):

Tomoyuki Shinohara ◽

Kosuke Saida ◽

Shigeya Tanaka ◽

Akihiko Murayama

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Lifestyle Changes ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Daily Movement ◽

Frailty Status ◽

Leg Muscle ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

Introduction Because of the countermeasures to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Japan, it is easy to predict that the suspension of local activities and changes in lifestyle that lead to decreased activity will result in increased frailty and prefrailty rates in older adults. Objective To clarify the actual frailty conditions and lifestyle changes among community-dwelling older adults affected by COVID-19 countermeasures in Japan. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted between May 8 and June 12, 2020. Self-reported questionnaires were distributed to 1,078 older adults aged ≥65 years. We used the frailty screening index to assess frailty status and developed the Questionnaire for Change of Life (QCL) to assess lifestyle changes, the amount of daily movement, leg muscle strength, meal size, worry or anxiety, and opportunities to talk to people. The differences in prevalence rates of frailty, prefrailty, and robustness between this study and the reference based on the Japanese meta-analysis were verified using the chi-square goodness of fit test. We compared each of the QCL results among the frailty, prefrailty, and robust groups using Fisher’s exact test. Results Of 680 older adults (63.1%) analyzed, 60 (8.8%) had frailty and 354 (52.1%) had prefrailty. There was a significant difference between the observed and expected prevalence based on the reference (p = 0.018). The frailty status was significantly associated with lifestyle changes. In participants with frailty, the amount of daily movement, leg muscle strength, and meal size significantly decreased (p < 0.001), whereas worry or anxiety significantly increased (p = 0.040). In contrast, regardless of the frailty status, opportunities to talk to people decreased. Conclusion The prevalence of frailty and prefrailty might have increased due to the effects of COVID-19 countermeasures. Moreover, the lifestyle of community-dwelling older adults affected by COVID-19 countermeasures has changed. Lifestyle changes were more pronounced among older adults with frailty.

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