Authors

  1. Alencar, Mariana Asmar PhD
  2. Dias, Joao Marcos Domingues PhD
  3. Figueiredo, Luisa Costa PT
  4. Dias, Rosangela Correa PhD

Abstract

This cohort examines transition rates between states of frailty over a 12-month period and evaluates the risk factors involved in such transitions. Frailty was defined as having 3 or more of the 5 criteria: weight loss, weakness, exhaustion, slow walking speed, and low physical activity. A total of 36.8% of the participants made transitions between states of frailty. History of cancer (odds ratio [OR], 3.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-10.9), urinary incontinence (OR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.3-6.1), and lower advanced activities of daily living (OR, 1/0.8; 95% CI, 0.6-0.9) were significant predictors of worsened frailty. Frailty is a dynamic process with transitions in both directions, worsening and improvement, even within such a short period.