The Evaluation of Frailty in the Elderly and Affecting Biopsychosocial Factors: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study

Background: We aimed to evaluate the frequency of frailty and the affecting factors in people living in our society over 65 yr old.Methods: Our descriptive and cross-sectional study included 261 individuals aged 65 and over who applied to Ankara Training and Research Hospital family practice centers and district polyclinics from 1 Jan to 1 Feb 2020. The participants were asked to complete a sociodemographic data form, FRAIL Scale, Katz Daily Living Activities Scale, Lawton & Brody Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale and Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form.Results: According to the FRAIL Scale results: 35 people were found to be frail (13.4%), 115 to be pre-frail (44.1%). No frailty was observed in 111 people (42.5%). While the mean score of the Katz Activities of Daily Living Scale was found to be 5.65 +/- 0.71, the mean score of the Lawton & Brody Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale was found to be 6.65 +/- 1.69. In the geriatric depression evaluation, mild, medium or severe de-pression was detected in 87 participants (33.2%). As the level of frailty increased, the Geriatric Depression Scale score climbed significantly (P < 0.001). In frail individuals, Lawton & Brody Scale scores were significantly lower (P < 0.001). In our study: a correlation was found between frailty and female gender, being single, low income, low educational level, obesity, polypharmacy and decreased physical activity. Additionally, as the num-ber of children increase frailty in women increases therewithal.Conclusion: Elderly people had high frailty. Polypharmacy, depression and reduced physical activity were the more frequent in frail elderly. In frail females, the number of children was significantly higher.