Association of Physical Frailty with Cognitive Function and Mood in Older Adults without Dementia and Depression

Cognitive frailty is a heterogeneous clinical manifestation characterized by the simultaneous presence of physical frailty and cognitive impairment. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between physical frailty and cognitive function in rural community-dwelling older Korean adults, taking four cognitive domains into account. We carried out a cross-sectional population-based study which enrolled 104 community-dwelling elderly. Physical frailty phenotype, as well as its individual criteria, were used. Cognitive functioning was examined in the four domains of memory, processing speed, cognitive flexibility, and working memory. Demographic data, lipid profile, muscle strength, physical function, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) concentration collected from questionnaire interviews and assessments were included. Of the 104 older adults (77% female), 24.3% were classified as robust, 49.6% as prefrail, and 16.5% as frail. Linear regression analyses showed that the severity of frailty index was associated with four cognitive domains Muscle strength (i.e., Grip strength, Knee extensor and flexor), physical function (i.e., SPPB and Gait speed), and 25[OH]D were associated with poorer cognitive function. Within our population of Korean rural community-dwelling older adults, physical frailty status, muscle strength, physical functions, and biochemical measurements were associated with poorer cognitive function. Synchronicity of physical frailty and cognitive dysfunction may contribute to the negative health-related effects associated with aging.

Download Full-text

Car Accidents Associated with Physical Frailty and Cognitive Impairment

Gerontology ◽

10.1159/000508823 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 66 (6) ◽

pp. 624-630

Author(s):

Takehiko Doi ◽

Hideaki Ishii ◽

Kota Tsutsumimoto ◽

Sho Nakakubo ◽

Satoshi Kurita ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Health Study ◽

Cardiovascular Health Study ◽

Physical Frailty ◽

Car Accidents ◽

Age Related ◽

Low Activity

Introduction: Age-related functional decline elevates the risk of car accidents. Whether specific cognitive impairments and physical frailty increase the risk of car accidents is still unclarified. Objective: This study examines the association between car accidents, frailty, and cognitive function, owing to an increase in car accidents related to older adults. Methods: Data were collected from 12,013 older adults (45.4% women, mean age: 71.7 years [min: 60, max: 96]) enrolled in the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology (NCGG) – Study of Geriatric Syndromes. A 2-year self-reported history of car accidents was assessed. The Japanese cardiovascular health study index was used as the criterion and included the following components of frailty: shrinking, weakness, exhaustion, low activity, and slowness. “Frailty” was assigned a value of 1 or more based on these components. Cognitive function was assessed using the NCGG Functional Assessment Tool, and cognitive impairment was assessed using a standardized value. Results: Of the participants, 1,117 (9.3%) had a car accident history. The proportions of the frailty components’ applicability were observed in the car accidents group compared to the non-car accidents group: shrinking (p = 0.006), exhaustion (p = 0.031), low activity (p = 0.034), and slowness (p = 0.030), but not weakness (p = 0.452). The proportion of cognitive impairment in executive function was also higher in the car accidents group (p = 0.011). A logistic regression analysis showed that both frailty (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.11–1.43; p < 0.001) and cognitive impairment (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.11–1.43, p < 0.001) are associated with car accidents. Discussion: This study’s findings contribute to enhancing the utility of risk assessments for older drivers. Further study is required to clarify the risk of car accidents.

Download Full-text

Dimensions of physical frailty and cognitive function in older adults with amnestic mild cognitive impairment

Annals of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine ◽

10.1016/j.rehab.2013.02.005 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 56 (5) ◽

pp. 329-341 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

E.L. McGough ◽

B.B. Cochrane ◽

K.C. Pike ◽

R.G. Logsdon ◽

S.M. McCurry ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽

Physical Frailty

Download Full-text

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FRAILTY AND COGNITIVE FUNCTION AMONG OLDER ADULTS IN TAIWAN

Journal of Frailty & Aging ◽

10.14283/jfa.2014.17 ◽

2014 ◽

pp. 1-5

Author(s):

H.-C. HSU

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Hierarchical Linear Modeling ◽

Older Persons ◽

Reciprocal Relationship ◽

Linear Modeling ◽

Physical Frailty ◽

Poor Appetite ◽

Time Lagged ◽

Relationship Of

Background: The causal relationship between physical frailty and cognitive function is not yet completely confirmed. Objectives: This study aimed at exploring the reciprocal relationship of frailty and cognitive function among Taiwanese older adults. Participants and setting: The study evaluated data from a five-wave survey conducted in Taiwanese older persons (n=3,155 respondents, 10,631 observations). Measurements: Frailty was defined as low physical activity, exhaustion, poor appetite, poor grip strength, and difficulty in carrying 10-pound objects; individuals were defined as frail if they met three or more of the above criteria. Cognitive function was assessed using five items from the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ) scale. Time-lagged and time-concurrent models were performed to examine the reciprocal relationship between cognitive function and frailty. Growth-curve hierarchical linear modeling was applied. Results: Concurrent frailty was related to low cognitive function at the intercept and time slope and vice versa. Previous frailty also predicted later decline of cognitive function. Nevertheless, previous cognitive function was not found to have a significant relationship with subsequent frailty. Education, physical function and social support represented shared factors to both frailty and cognitive function. Conclusions: Frailty and cognitive function are correlated, and frailty may occur prior to cognitive impairment.

Download Full-text