Prevalencia del síndrome de fragilidad y factores asociados en adultos mayores de la Parroquia San Joaquín del Cantón Cuenca, 2012.

Abstract

Introduction: Current data indicates a demographic transition where WHO states that 13.5% of the world's populations are seniors citizens. In this aging group, involvement in decreased functionality, and increased susceptibility which has lead the Fragility Syndrome proved to be of 6.9% according to Fred’s first study; which if not diagnosed early, the possibility of loss of function, disability and dependence can occur to the elderly. Objective: To determine the occurrences of frailty syndrome and it’s associated factors related to seniors over the age of 80, whom are living alone, with comorbidity, whom are taking more than three drugs, those who have been hospitalized within the past 12 months, with cognitive impairment and depression within the elderly population of the Parish of San Joaquin Cuenca Canton, 2012. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study; the group that was study, whom resided in San Joaquin, was of age 65 and older and at the time, were not paraplegic; for those who had cognitive impairment (modified MMSE <13), it was required for a relative or caregiver to fill out the form. The sample consisted of 300 people. The information collected was used by appropriate validated questions; the frailty measurement was performed with Fred’s criteria and data analysis using SPSS version 15. Results: The prevalence of frailty was 83% (250 people) amongst the female sex and seniors between the ages of 64-75 years of age and there was no frailty in 17% (50 people), with significant association between frequency of fragility and depression ( p < 0.000) with age over 80 years (p < 0.002), comorbidity and cognitive impairment (both p < 0.002); there was no correlation between living alone (p < 0.287), polypharmacy (p < 0.183) and hospital admission in the last 12 months (p < 0.084). Conclusions: The prevalence of frailty was 83%, the study focused on older adults and young females; findings from the study indicated depression within the group of 80 years and older; and the presence of comorbidities and cognitive impairment had no dependence on polypharmacy and hospitalization in the last 12 months. KEYWORDS: FRAGILE ELDERLY / STATISTICS AND FIGURES ELDER / PHYSIOLOGY; SYNDROME; PREVALENCE