Association between frailty and disability among rural community-dwelling older adults in Sri Lanka: a cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE:We examined the association between frailty and disability in rural community-dwelling older adults in Kegalle district of Sri Lanka. DESIGN:A population-based cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS:A total of 746 community-dwelling adults aged ?60 years. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES:Frailty was assessed using the Fried phenotype. Disability was operationalised in terms of having one or more activity limitation/s in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) and basic activities of daily living (BADL). RESULTS:The median age of the sample was (median 68; IQR 64-75) years and 56.7% were female. 15.2% were frail and 48.5% were prefrail. The prevalence of ?1?IADL limitations was high, 84.4% among frail adults. 38.7% of frail adults reported ?1?BADL limitations. Over half of frail older adults (58.3%) reported both ?1 physical and cognitive IADL limitations. Being frail decreased the odds of having no IADL limitations, and was associated with a higher count of IADL limitations. No significant association was found between prefrailty and number of IADL limitations. CONCLUSIONS:The prevalence of ?1?IADL limitations was high among rural community-dwelling frail older adults. Findings imply the greater support and care required for rural Sri Lankan frail older adults to live independently in the community.

SUBMITTER: Siriwardhana DD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7170600 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature