Objectives: This study evaluated the association of frailty with related factors among community-dwelling Japanese older adults.
Methods and Study Design: This cross-sectional study in 152 older men and women aged 65 or above who are members of the Tokyo West Health Cooperative, from June to August 2021. We conducted a questionnaire survey and physical measurements. Frailty was evaluated using the Japanese version of the Cardiovascular Health Study (J-CHS) criteria as three groups (frailty, pre-frailty, non-frailty). Creating a binary variable of “frailty/pre-frailty” and “non-frailty” and using multiple logistic regression analysis to estimate odd ratio and adjust for confounders.
Results: Of the 152 participants 6 individuals (4.0%) and 75 individuals (49.3%) had frailty and pre-frailty. 71 individuals (46.7%) had non-frailty respectively. The results showed significant associations between frailty and related factors of presence of internet usage (OR=2.45, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.27-4.71)(p=0.007), Experience of psychological stress or acute illnesses in the past three months (OR=2.94, 95%CI: 1.21-7.11)(p=0.017). The results remained consistent even after adjusting for age, gender, and hypertension in the multiple logistic regression analysis. The factors associated with presence of internet usage (OR=2.20, 95%CI: 1.04-4.63)(p=0.038) and Experience of psychological stress or acute illnesses in the past three months (OR=2.80, 95%CI: 1.10-7.17)(p=0.031).
Conclusions: The study confirmed a significant association between non-internet usage and the experience of psychological stress or acute illnesses in the past three months, indicating a higher risk of frailty. These results suggest that limited social engagement may contribute to frailty.