Module 7: Frailty as a Complex Chronic Condition Among Older Adults Flashcards
What are some characteristics of Frailty?
- More than one chronic disease/condition
- Healthcare utilization
- Psycho social, environment and lifestyle factor
What is Frailty?
A biologic condition of increased vulnerability to stressors that results from decreased physiological reserves and multi system regulation, limited capacity to maintain homeostasis and to respond to internal and external stresses
What is the range for people aged more than 65 years are frail?
(Significance of Frailty)
3% to 7%
What is the range for elderly persons in their 80’s?
Significance of Frailty
20% to 26%
What percentage of elderly are in their 90’s?
Significance of Frailty
32%
What are they more at risk of?
Significance of Frailty
Geriatric syndromes, dependency, disability, hospitalization, institutional placement, and mortality
What are the 3 levels of pathophysiologic mechanisms?
- Level 1: cellular changes
- Level 2: system dysregulation
- Level 3: system impairment
What is one dysfunction included in level 2 : system dysregulation?
Hemotocoagulatory dysfunction: excessive activation of the coagulation (blood clots)
What is another dysfunction included in level 2: system dysregulation?
Endocrine dysregulation: low level of testosterone, DHEAs (dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels), and growth hormone
Which Hormone is affected in level 2?
Growth hormone (insulin - like growth factor - 1: IGF-1)
what are the last two dysregulation of level 2?
Metabolic dysregulation and inflammatory pathway dysregulation
What is affected in metabolic dysregulation?
Increased abdominal fat mass, insulin resistance (IR) and glucose intolerance
What is a glucose intolerance?
Impaired uptake of glucose by skeletal muscle
What is included with inflammatory pathway dysregulation?
Elevated C-reactive protein, interleukin - 6 and leukocytes
What is impaired in level 3: system impairment?
Musculoskeletal impairment (sarcopenia and function impairment) and Neurocognitive impairment (sensory loss and mood disturbance)
