Physiologic Changes Lead to Frailty in the Elderly

Their findings were published in the November 2002 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Investigators from Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD, USA) re-examined data obtained during the Cardiovascular Health Study, a longitudinal study of 5,888 community-dwelling individuals age 65 and older. A clinical criterion of frailty was established that included weak grip strength, slow walking speed, and weight loss.

Evidence was found suggesting a relationship between frailty and increased inflammation, altered carbohydrate metabolism, and increased blood-clotting activity. These indications were present even when the possible effects of diabetes and cardiovascular disease were ruled out.

"This is exciting research for the geriatric population,” explained first author Dr. Jeremy Walston, associate professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins. "Understanding the basis for frailty can help us develop interventions to better care for the vulnerable population of frail adults and could lead to significant improvements in the care of older adults.”



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