مقالات پذیرفته شده در نهمین کنگره بین المللی زیست پزشکی
The Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Interventions for Frailty Syndrome in Older Adults: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
The Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Interventions for Frailty Syndrome in Older Adults: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
mehrangiz ghabimi,1,*
1. Student Research Committee, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran.
Introduction: Frailty syndrome is a common geriatric condition characterized by decreased physiological reserves and increased vulnerability to adverse health outcomes in older adults. It is associated with higher risk of falls, hospitalization, disability, and mortality. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to estimate the global prevalence of frailty, identify key risk factors, and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to mitigate frailty in elder populations.
Methods: A comprehensive, systematic literature search was executed to capture all relevant studies on frailty syndrome across multiple scientific databases including PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library from inception through September 2024. The search utilized a combination of controlled vocabulary terms (e.g., MeSH) and free-text keywords related to the concepts of frailty, prevalence, risk factors, interventions, and older adults. Boolean operators (AND, OR) were applied to combine terms effectively, for example: ("frailty syndrome" OR "frail elderly") AND ("prevalence" OR "incidence") AND ("intervention" OR "rehabilitation"). Truncation and wildcard symbols were used to capture variations of key terms. No language restrictions were applied to maximize inclusiveness. Grey literature sources such as clinical trial registries and conference abstracts were also screened. Reference lists of included articles and relevant reviews were hand-searched to identify additional citations. Duplicate records were removed using reference management software (EndNote) and initial screening based on titles and abstracts was followed by full-text review against predefined eligibility criteria. The search process and results were documented according to PRISMA guidelines to ensure transparency and reproducibility..
Results: Forty-two studies totaling over 30,000 participants worldwide were included. Meta-analysis using a random-effects model estimated a pooled frailty prevalence of 36% (95% CI: 30%-42%) and pre-frailty prevalence at 48% (95% CI: 42%-54%). Risk factors significantly associated with frailty included advanced age, female gender (45% prevalence versus 30% in males), low physical activity, malnutrition, and chronic comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes). Multicomponent interventions combining physical exercise, nutritional supplementation, and cognitive training were shown to significantly reduce frailty scores (standardized mean difference = -1.2, 95% CI: -1.8 to -0.6) and improve functional outcomes.
Conclusion: Frailty syndrome is a prevalent and complex geriatric condition characterized by decreased physiological reserves and functional decline, leading to higher vulnerability to stressors and adverse health outcomes such as falls, hospitalization, disability, and mortality. The present systematic review and meta-analysis highlight that approximately one-third of elderly populations globally are affected by frailty, with pre-frailty status being even more common. Key risk factors include advanced age, female gender, malnutrition, low physical activity, and chronic diseases like hypertension and diabetes. Nutritional status is strongly associated with frailty prevalence, indicating the critical role of proper diet in prevention and management. Multicomponent interventions combining physical exercise, nutritional supplementation, and cognitive training demonstrate efficacy in reducing.