ABSTRACT
This is a cross-sectional quantitative study whose objective was to estimate the risk of frailty in community-dwelling elderly and their associated factors. The sample consisted of 179 elderly people enrolled in Family Health Units in Recife (PE). Frailty was evaluated using the Clinical-Functional Vulnerability Index. Sociodemographic data, cognitive evaluation, level of physical activity and nutritional risk/malnutrition corresponded to the independent variables. The prevalence of frailty was equivalent to 13%. The independence test was significant according to gender, age, social security status, and in elderly with impaired cognitive ability and malnutrition. Regarding the development of frailty, people aged 71 to 80 years presented eight times more risk; in the age group of 81 to 90 years, the risk is nine times higher. Elderly people subject to malnutrition have twice the risk, and malnutrition increases by five times the frailty risk. The findings show that some associated factors are immutable, but malnutrition, for example, is susceptible to change, from management in Primary Health Care.
KEYWORDS
Primary Health Care; Frail elderly; Frailty
Source: Own elaboration.