@article{ref1,
title="Clinical and functional characterization of pre-frailty among elderly patients consulting primary care centres",
journal="Journal of nutrition, health, and aging",
year="2016",
author="Serra-Prat, M. and Sist, X. and Saiz, A. and Jurado, L. and Domenich, R. and Roces, A. and Papiol, M.",
volume="20",
number="6",
pages="653-658",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Characterization of the main features of pre-frailty may contribute to better understanding the mechanisms involved in the development of frailty. <br><br>OBJECTIVE: To characterize the pre-frail population consulting in primary care centres in Mataró (Catalonia, Spain), to describe the Fried's frailty criteria for this population and to identify the main associated factors. <br><br>DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Three primary care centres in Catalonia. PARTICIPANTS: Pre-frail subjects recruited from among persons aged 70 years and older consulting primary care centres and screened for frailty according to Fried's criteria. MEASUREMENTS: Clinical, nutritional and functional data. <br><br>RESULTS: Frailty prevalence of 31.0% and pre-frailty prevalence of 49.0% were observed. Comorbidity was not especially frequent among elderly individuals classified as pre-frail (except for diabetes with 35.8% prevalence). Functional status and nutritional status were both reasonably satisfactory in pre-frail subjects with mean Barthel score of 98 points and 91% classified as well nourished. Among pre-frail subjects, 35% were obese (body mass index>30); 75% reported pain; 12% had an accidental fall in the previous three months; and the mean number of medications ingested was 6.2. Weakness was the most prevalent frailty criterion (70%), followed by slowness (30%). Weakness was associated with age in men and with pain in women. Poor physical activity was associated with pain. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Pre-frailty is very common among elderly subjects consulting primary care centres. Weakness, slowness, diabetes, pain and polypharmacy should alert healthcare professionals to the onset of a frailty process.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1279-7707",
doi="10.1007%2Fs12603-016-0684-3",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007%2Fs12603-016-0684-3"
}