Association between physical frailty and cognitive scores in older adults

Clóris Regina Blanski Grden; Maynara Fernanda Carvalho Barreto; Jacy Aurélia Vieira de Sousa; Juliana Andrade Chuertniek; Péricles Martim Reche; Pollyanna Kássia de Oliveira Borges

doi:10.15253/2175-6783.2015000300012

Authors

Clóris Regina Blanski Grden Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa. Ponta Grossa, PR, Brazil.
Maynara Fernanda Carvalho Barreto Universidade Estadual de Londrina. Londrina, PR, Brazil.
Jacy Aurélia Vieira de Sousa Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa. Ponta Grossa, PR, Brazil.
Juliana Andrade Chuertniek Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa. Ponta Grossa, PR, Brazil.
Péricles Martim Reche Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa. Ponta Grossa, PR, Brazil.
Pollyanna Kássia de Oliveira Borges Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa. Ponta Grossa, PR, Brazil.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15253/2175-6783.2015000300012

Keywords:

Frail Elderly, Geriatric Nursing, Cognition.

Abstract

Objective: to investigate the association between physical frailty and cognitive scores in older adults at an Open University of the Third Age in Southern Brazil. Methods: descriptive cross-sectional study with convenience sample comprising 100 elderly, conducted from March to June 2013. For cognitive assessment, we applied the Mini Mental State Examination and the Edmonton Frail Scale. Results: there was a predominance of females (93%), with a mean age of 65.6 years. 81% of the participants were classified as non-frail, 16% as apparently vulnerable to frailty, and 3% as mild frailty. There was a significant association between cognitive performance and frailty (p<0.006). Conclusion: the research on the association between physical frailty and cognitive scores in older people promotes the construction of gerontological care plans aimed at managing this syndrome.