Frailty Syndrome in Association with Depressive Symptoms and Functional Disability among Hospitalized Elderly

• Published in: Issues in mental health nursing Vol. 39; no. 5; pp. 433 - 438
• Main Authors: Tavares, Darlene Mara dos Santos, Faria, Pedro Martins, Pegorari, Maycon Sousa, Ferreira, Pollyana Cristina dos Santos, Nascimento, Janaína Santos, Marchiori, Gianna Fiori
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis 04-05-2018; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Disability; Frail; Frailty; Hospitalization; Hospitalized; Mental depression; Morbidity; Nursing; Older people; Socioeconomic factors
• ISSN: 0161-2840; 1096-4673
• DOI: 10.1080/01612840.2018.1429035

We sought to examine the frailty association with depression and functional disability in hospitalized older adults. In particular, we compared non-frail, pre-frail, and frail elderly hospitalized individuals. We performed a cross-sectional study with 255 hospitalized Brazilian elderly patients. We used a structured instrument to assess socio-economic data, the Fried frailty phenotype and used morbidity scales (Geriatric Depression; Katz; Lawton and Brody). The adjusted analysis revealed that frail elderly exhibit increased odds ratios (OR) for depressive symptoms (OR = 2.72, 95% CI: 1.12-6.62), disability related to basic activities (OR = 3.50, 95% CI: 1.26-9.60), and instrumental daily living (OR = 2.70, 95% CI: 1.12-6.44). Frailty in hospitalized older adults is associated with depressive symptomatology and functional disability.