Relationship among Age, Education and Frailty in Older Persons

Abstract

Preliminary data suggest that frailty tend to increase with age and is associated with fewer years of formal education. However, it is still unclear whether age and education synergistically act in the definition of frailty. Aim of the study is to evaluate the interaction between age and education in defining frailty in community-dwelling older persons. We considered 911 community-dwelling older adults (mean age 79.5 years) who underwent a comprehensive geriatric assessment. Our results showed that education and age interact in the definition of frailty following an exponential-type relationship. Whereas age is a non-modifiable risk factor, much can be done to address the social component of frailty here represented by education. The reported interaction suggests that social interventions might be particularly effective at an older age, paving the way for multidisciplinary interventions beyond the clinical field.

Keywords: Prevention; frailty; geriatrics; older persons; social care.