Frailty increases risk of dementia
Researchers have found a connection between frailty and cognitive decline, lifestyle changes can make a difference.
An international study led by an Australian researcher has found frailty increases a person’s risk of dementia.
The good news is it seems early intervention may be the key to prevention.
Dr David Ward from the University of Queensland tracked the data of nearly 30,000 participants of four longitudinal studies in the United Kingdom and the United States, enabling researchers to detect changes in people’s health and function 20 years before they were diagnosed with dementia.
“The accumulation of age-related conditions is indicative of increasing frailty, which we found accelerates up to nine years prior to a dementia diagnosis,” Dr Ward said.
“Our findings show with every four to five additional health problems there is on average a 40% higher risk of developing dementia. For people who are fitter, the risk is lower.”
This suggests frailty is not merely a consequence of undetected dementia but contributes to its onset.
Frailty is a health state related to ageing where multiple organ systems lose their resilience, making individuals more likely to experience adverse health outcomes such as falls, disability, and hospitalisation.
Researchers say people age at different rates and the number of health problems that accumulate is captured by their degree of frailty.
By understanding the connection between ageing, frailty, and dementia, targeted intervention strategies can be used to reduce risk and improve quality of life.
Dr Ward says the finding supports integrating frailty screening into routine check-ups. Medical staff could then use the information to develop health and lifestyle programs such as exercise and nutrition.
According to the World Health Organization, more than 55 million people have dementia worldwide, with 10 million new cases every year.
Study co-author, Professor David Llewellyn from the University of Exeter Medical School in the UK, said the research was one of the most comprehensive examinations of the link between frailty and dementia.
“This study is crucial because it identifies frailty as a significant predictor of dementia risk, offering a potential pathway for early intervention to improve health outcomes,” Professor Llewellyn said.
“The success of this research hinged on international collaboration, allowing us to investigate different populations and enhance the validity of our findings, which are likely to shape future clinical trials and prevention strategies.”
People living with frailty are more susceptible to large declines in health from minor illnesses such as the flu or adverse events like falls. They are also more likely to be hospitalised, need long term care, or die.
The risk of becoming frail increases with age, but the two are not the same. Frailty is not an inevitable part of ageing.
Those living with frailty are at higher risk for deterioration of their health and death than what is expected based on their age alone.
Older adults living with frailty and their family, friends, and caregivers need holistic approaches that treat the entire person and health challenges in a coordinated manner.
It’s never too late to be active in preventing frailty of fighting back against it.
The Australian Frailty Network recommends:
Exercise
Exercise is one of the most important interventions for frailty management. It can help to improve muscle strength, balance, and endurance. More information is available here.
Nutrition
Good nutrition is essential for overall health and well-being. People living with frailty may need help to ensure they are getting enough calories, protein, and other nutrients.
Medication management
People living with frailty, such as older adults, often take multiple medications, which can increase the risk of side effects. Medication management can help ensure that the older adult is taking the right medications at the correct dosages.
Fall prevention
Falls are a major risk for frail older adults. Prevention interventions can help to reduce the risk of falls and their consequences.
Social support
Social isolation can contribute to frailty. Social support interventions can help to connect people with their community and to provide them with emotional support.
Managing frailty is ongoing and requires regular assessment and adjustment of the medical interventions.
Related reading: UQ, The Australian, AFN
