Study of Frailty and Pre-frailty in People Over 65 Living Independently Tracking Health and Survival Over 5 Years

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying frailty syndrome, a condition affecting elderly individuals characterized by reduced ability to respond to stress and associated with physical, psychological, and social decline. This study focuses on elderly people over 65 living independently, aiming to understand factors that lead to frailty and how it affects survival, particularly examining cardiovascular and autonomic nervous system changes linked to frailty. The research considers a multidimensional approach to frailty, reflecting the complex functional decline seen in aging individuals. The study involves detailed heart examinations using echocardiography to assess age-related changes in heart function and size. It also measures autonomic nervous system activity through continuous non-invasive monitoring of blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration. Participants will undergo routine medical exams, cognitive and psychological evaluations, nutritional status assessments, daily living activities reviews, and fall risk evaluations. These comprehensive assessments are designed to capture a broad picture of frailty and its determinants. Participants will be followed for five years with re-examinations at two and five years to monitor frailty progression, independence, and survival status via national health records. The study measures risk factors for frailty development, mortality, and functional decline using various clinical and functional tests, including cognitive screening and physical stability assessments. This long-term observation aims to clarify the natural course of frailty and inform strategies to prevent or treat it in the elderly population.

Prevalence, Determinants and Natural History of Frailty and Pre-frailty in Elderly People