Did the number of older adults with frailty increase during the COVID-19 pandemic? A prospective cohort study in Japan

Eur Geriatr Med. 2021 Oct;12(5):1085-1089. doi: 10.1007/s41999-021-00523-2. Epub 2021 Jun 3.

Abstract

Purpose: To clarify the actual frail status over 6 months with the COVID-19 countermeasures.

Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted between the baseline assessment from May 11 to July 10 in 2020, and the follow-up assessment from November 11, 2020, to January 10, 2021, in Japan. The survey forms were distributed among 1953 community-dwelling older adults. Frailty status was assessed using the Frailty Screening Index.

Results: In total, 702 older adults (35.2%) returned the survey forms, and 593 (mean age = 78.8 years, and 77.4% females) older adults without missing values for the survey forms were analyzed. Pre-frail and frail prevalence were 55.0 and 7.9% at the baseline, and 57.3 and 11.8% at the follow-up, respectively. Frailty transition that indicated transition from robust or pre-frail at the baseline to frail at the follow-up was 9.9%.

Conclusion: Increase in frailty might indicate frailty related to implementation of COVID-19 countermeasures.

Keywords: COVID-19; Frailty; Older adult.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • COVID-19*
  • Female
  • Frail Elderly
  • Frailty* / diagnosis
  • Geriatric Assessment
  • Humans
  • Japan / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Pandemics
  • Prospective Studies
  • SARS-CoV-2