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. 2009 Mar;64(2):279-89.
doi: 10.1093/geronb/gbn009. Epub 2009 Feb 4.

Frailty and mortality among Chinese at advanced ages

Danan Gu  1 , Matthew E Dupre, Jessica Sautter, Haiyan Zhu, Yuzhi Liu, Zeng Yi
Affiliations

Frailty and mortality among Chinese at advanced ages

Danan Gu et al. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2009 Mar.

Abstract

Objectives: This study investigates the factors associated with frailty and the association of frailty with mortality in a national sample of adults aged 65-109 in China.

Methods: Using the 2002 wave of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey, we construct a frailty index (FI) based on 39 measures available in the data set. We use ordinal logistic regressions to examine the factors associated with the FI and use Weibull hazard regression to examine the association between frailty and 3-year mortality from 2002 to 2005.

Results: Age, sex, ethnicity, urban-rural residence, economic condition, religious involvement, and daily exercise are significantly associated with levels of frailty. Hazard analyses further reveal that the FI is a robust predictor of mortality at advanced ages and that the relationship between frailty and mortality is independent of various covariates. Discussion The measurement and analysis of frailty have broad implications for public health initiatives designed to target individuals with the diminished capacity to effectively compensate for external stressors and to prevent further declines associated with aging and mortality. A key to healthy longevity is the prevention, postponement, and potential recovery from physical and cognitive deficits at advanced ages through enhanced medical interventions and treatments.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Observed and fitted mean frailty levels by age and sex.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Observed density distributions of frailty by selected ages and sex.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Observed proportion of deaths and 95% confidence intervals over a 3-year period by frailty, sex, and age.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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