ASSESSING FRAILTY IN ELDERLY PATIENTS: THE IMPACT OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND OTHER DETERMINANTS ON HEALTH OUTCOMES

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to assess the frailty status of elderly inpatients and identify contributing factors, with a particular focus on the role of physical activity and lifestyle. Methods: Data from 363 elderly inpatients at a tertiary care hospital were collected from June 2019 to June 2021. The FRAIL frailty scale was utilized to determine the patients' frailty status. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the factors influencing frailty among these patients. Results: Out of the 363 patients, 57.30% were male, 27.55% were aged 75 years or older, and 51.24% were identified as frail. Logistic regression analysis indicated that being 75 years or older, having a small family size (1-2 members), lower educational levels (junior high school or below), multiple comorbidities, and insufficient sleep (≤6 hours per night) were significant independent risk factors for frailty in elderly inpatients (P<0.05). Conclusion: Frailty in elderly inpatients is multifactorial, with age, education, family environment, comorbid health conditions, and sleep patterns being significant contributors. This study highlights the critical need for healthcare providers to integrate physical activity promotion and lifestyle adjustments into routine care for the elderly to preemptively screen for and mitigate frailty. Implementing targeted interventions based on these factors can help slow the progression of frailty and support healthier aging processes.