Frailty syndrome among oldest old individuals in a health macro-region of Minas Gerais

Abstract

Abstract Objective to identify frailty conditions and their associated factors among oldest old individuals living in the urban area of a health macro-region of Minas Gerais state. Methods a cross-sectional study of 314 oldest old from a health macro-region in Minas Gerais state, Brazil, was conducted. Data were collected from households by applying instruments validated for use in Brazil. Descriptive and multinomial logistic regression analyses (p<0.05) were carried out. Results In the sample assessed, 44.3% of the oldest old were frail, 44.3% pre-frail and 11.4% non-frail. The pre-frail condition was associated with living alone (p=0.047) and very poor/poor physical performance (p=0.026), while frailty was associated with very poor/poor physical performance (p<0.001), the presence of depressive symptomatology (p=0.029) and of ≥5 morbidities (p=0.003). Conclusion pre-frail and frail conditions predominated among the oldest old assessed. Maintaining physical performance is an aspect that can be targeted by health professionals in oldest old to delay pre-frailty and frailty.