Advances in pathophysiology and assessment methods of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with frailty

Abstract

Frailty, a multidimensional syndrome characterized by decreased physiological reserves and vulnerability to stressors, presents significant challenges in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD and frailty share common risk factors and pathophysiological pathways, such as muscle wasting, chronic inflammation, and malnutrition. Both COPD and frailty lead to a significant reduction in patients’ physical functionality and quality of life. Consequently, early screening for frailty and proactive interventions for patients with COPD are increasingly considered essential. There are several methods for screening and assessing frailty in patients with COPD, such as the Fried Frailty Phenotype and the Frailty Index, each with its own advantages and limitations. However, there is currently no unified standard, nor a method specifically tailored to the Chinese population. The treatment of patients with COPD and concurrent frailty currently favors exercise interventions, nutritional interventions, or a combination of both. Further treatment approaches, including pharmacological interventions, are still being explored. Therefore, the development of frailty screening and assessment tools tailored to the Chinese population, along with the exploration of reasonable and effective new intervention measures, represents a crucial direction in China's efforts to prevent and treat frailty.