Impairments in mobility and balance in relation to frailty

Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2011 Jul-Aug;53(1):79-83. doi: 10.1016/j.archger.2010.06.013. Epub 2010 Aug 1.

Abstract

We set out to describe the relationship between impaired balance, mobility and frailty, and relate these to risk of death. We examined a subsample of 1295 community-dwelling non-demented adults from the second wave of the Canadian Study of Health and Aging (CSHA), a prospective population-based cohort study. Frailty index (FI) scores were constructed from a standardized comprehensive geriatric assessment (FI-CGA). History of mobility impairments and falls were assessed. Timed-up-and-go (TUG) and functional reach (FR) performance were measured. The CSHA clinical frailty scale (CFS) was judged by a physician. Adverse outcomes were determined at CSHA-3, conducted 5 years later. The FI-CGA varied in association with impaired mobility and balance. A history of mobility problems was demonstrable at FI-CGA scores >0.12. This level of frailty also represented the most marked deterioration in performance measures (TUG and FR). FI-CGA scores best predicted mortality (HR 1.04±0.02), proving to be a dominating factor in multivariate regression models that included mobility and balance markers. Only at the upper range of FI-CGA reported (>0.45) did all participants demonstrate mobility impairment. Impaired balance and mobility contribute to frailty, but neither is sufficient to define a participant as frail.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Accidental Falls / statistics & numerical data
  • Aged
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Frail Elderly / statistics & numerical data*
  • Geriatric Assessment / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mobility Limitation*
  • Postural Balance / physiology*
  • Prospective Studies