Burden and determinants of frailty among older adults (≥60 years) in India: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Indranil Saha, Joydeep Majumder, Bhavani Shankara Bagepally, Saibal Das, Manoj Kalita, Devaraja Munikrishnappa, Devi Das, Anushka Ghosh, Pramit Ghosh, Arunansu Talukdar, Biman Kanti Ray, Asim Saha, Amit ChakrabartiABSTRACT
Background:
Frailty is one of the most prevalent geriatric syndromes in aging populations and a significant burden for healthcare systems. There is no frailty management model for older adults in Indian settings.
Objectives:
This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the pooled prevalence of frailty and pre-frailty in older adults in India and to determine their distribution and significant correlates.
Methods:
The findings from the study would help in building the content of the frailty management model in Indian settings. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO [CRD42024566348]. Four databases, namely Scopus, Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane Central, were searched. Studies reporting on prevalence and/or correlates of physical frailty among older adults (≥60 years) in community and institutional settings in India were included. Pooled prevalences were computed using the DerSimonian-Laird method by a random-effects model in STATA software.
Results:
Forty-five studies were included in this review. Pooled prevalence of frailty was 38.18% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 35.41%–40.94%;
Conclusion:
Early detection through screening and appropriate interventions, mostly nutritional and physical activity, and management tips for associated diseases such as mental health and non-communicable diseases, can help delay disability, alleviate the healthcare burden, and improve quality of life for older adults.