Assessment of frailty and its predictors in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Sharmistha Dutta, Nitin Goel, Raj Kumar- Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
Background:
Frailty represents a state of risk in which a relatively small stressor results in a disproportionate decline in health status. This study aims to determine the prevalence of frailty among patients with COPD in the Indian population and its associated risk factors.
Methods:
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 150 COPD patients. Frailty was assessed using the frailty phenotype method.
Results:
The mean age (SD) of the study population was 60.59 (5.9) years with 88.67% males and 53.33% ex-smokers. The prevalence of frailty was 51.33% (
Conclusion:
The prevalence of frailty in Indian patients with COPD was 51.33%. Six-minute walk distance is an important predictor of frailty. Early identification of frailty will lead to prompt intervention and rehabilitation.