Evaluation of Frailty Syndrome and Adherence to Recommendations in Elderly Patients with Hypertension

Abstract

Frailty syndrome (FS) often coexists with many diseases of the elderly, including arterial hypertension, and may affect the disease course and adherence to therapeutic recommendations. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between frailty and adherence to therapeutic recommendations in elderly hypertensive patients. The study included 259 patients hospitalized between January 2019 and November 2020 due to exacerbation of hypertension symptoms. Medical records were used to obtain basic sociodemographic and clinical data. The study was based on the Tilburg Frailty Indicator (TFI) and the Hill–Bone Scale (HBCS). The obtained data were analyzed within a cross-sectional design. The mean frailty score indicated by the TFI questionnaire was 7.09 ± 3.73. The most prominent FS component was associated with the physical domain (4.24 ± 2.54). The mean overall adherence measured with the HBCS was 20.51 ± 3.72. The linear regression model testing the Hill–Bone “reduced sodium intake” score against the TFI domains showed no relationships between the variables. Another regression model for the Hill–Bone “appointment-keeping” subscale indicated significant predictors for physical and social TFI domains (p = 0.002 and p < 0.0001, respectively). For the Hill–Bone “taking antihypertensive drugs” variable, the regression model found significant relationships with all TFI domains: physical (p < 0.0001), psychological (p = 0.003) and social (p < 0.0001). Our study suggests that frailty in patients with arterial hypertension can negatively impact their adherence to therapeutic recommendations.

Adherence to Medication in Older Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Living in Lubuskie Voivodeship in Poland: Association with Frailty Syndrome

“…Diabetes and frailty are intricately linked; furthermore, diabetes is strongly associated with reduced mobility, activities of daily life, cognitive impairment, and dementia [ 22 ]. In recent years, researchers have repeatedly addressed the coexistence of frailty and diabetes in the elderly [ 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ]. This problem was considered in the context of the impact of these diseases on the quality of life [ 5 ], cognitive and functional status [ 27 , 28 , 29 ], or on the results of clinical trials of these patients [ 29 ].…”

“…There are also many studies, which show the level of adherence and effectiveness of interventions in patients with type 2 diabetes [ 37 , 38 ], although only some of these studies involve elderly patients. Previous studies showed that the coexistence of frailty syndrome has a negative impact on the adherence of older patients with hypertension [ 23 ] and with cardiovascular diseases [ 39 ]. However, the problem of adherence to medication in patients over 60 years of age with type 2 diabetes and coexisting frailty is rarely taken up.…”

Loneliness among elderly people as a public health threat

“…Developed countries, including Poland, suffer from the ageing of society [1]. The ability to perform everyday activities deteriorates with age [2], especially when there are comorbidities [3]. The stress of being unable to adjust to the pressure and demands of the rapidly changing modern world without adequate social support can result in multiple health hazards, especially in older people; these range from apathy through addictions and various other self-harm activities to suicide; indeed, highly demonstrative suicide through hanging [4] was aggravated by the coVID-19 pandemic [5].…”

The future of care and healthcare provision to communitydwelling disa-bled elderly people in an ageing society

“…In Poland, around one fifth of the general population lives with some form of disability, which often impairs mobility and cognitive functions [3]. This results from the physiology of ageing, but most crucial problems typically arise from the presence of numerous comorbidities [4]. consequently, elderly people will sooner or later fail to keep pace both physically and mentally with the rapidly evolving environment, which leads to various health risks, including suicide attempts and death [5].…”