Prevalence and factors associated with changes in frailty among community‐dwelling older adults in Japan during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A prospective cohort study from 2020 to 2022

Abstract

AimThis study aimed to ascertain the prevalence of frailty during the pandemic and to determine factors associated with changes in frailty status.MethodsIn May–June of 2020–2022, we assessed the frailty of 549 participants using the Kihon Checklist. Furthermore, we classified participant residences as urban, suburban, and rural and investigated participants’ engagement in hobbies and community activities in 2020 and 2022. Cochran's Q test was used to analyze the proportions of frailty status. Subsequently, we conducted a binomial logistic regression analysis with the improvement/deterioration of frailty status from 2020 to 2022 as the dependent variable, and engagement in hobbies and community activities as the independent variables.ResultsSignificant changes were observed among participants in urban areas, where an increase in pre‐frailty and a decrease in robust individuals from 2020 to 2021 were noted. Focusing on item no. 17 (going out), the decreasing frequency had recovered by 2022 in the group of all groups. Continued engagement in only hobbies or only community activities, and continued engagement in both were associated with remained robust/frailty‐status improvement. Moreover, not engaging in either hobbies or community activities was associated with remained frail/frailty‐status deterioration.ConclusionsDuring the early stages, the COVID‐19 pandemic impacted the frailty of older adults in densely populated areas. The results also suggest an attenuation in the decline in older adult activity in 2022. Continuous engagement in hobbies and community activities was crucial for improving and preventing deterioration in frailty status during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2023; ••: ••–••.

Association between Internet Use and Locomotive Syndrome, Frailty, and Sarcopenia among Community-Dwelling Older Japanese Adults

“…This cross-sectional study was conducted between July 2022 and March 2023 in City A, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. The study city fell into the suburban category as of 14 May 2024, according to the population density classification in a previous study [ 19 ]. All participants were given a verbal and written explanation of the study, and written informed consent was obtained.…”

“…In a logistic regression analysis, the number of participants in a small number of events should be at least about 10 times the number of input variables [ 32 ]. LS, frailty, and sarcopenia were used as adjustment variables in the multivariate analyses of many previous studies because of the influence of age, sex, and BMI [ 2 , 19 , 29 , 33 , 34 , 35 ]. Post hoc power analysis was performed on the binomial logistic regression analysis results.…”

Decrease in the usual walking speed and body fat percentage associated with a deterioration in long-term care insurance certification levels

“…As of April 1, 2023, the population was 114,334, with a density of 192.89 people/km 2 . It was classified as suburban according to a previous study ( Hirose et al, 2024 ). The participants lived in Nasushiobara City or nearby cities and towns.…”

Prevalence and characteristics of frailty in older adults in Japan: a cross-sectional study using data from the long-term care insurance system

“…KCL was performed on the participants by care managers during the introduction of preventive long-term care services. Total scores were calculated for each participant, and participants with 0–3 points were assessed as robust, those with 4–7 points as pre-frail, and those with 8 points or more as frail 8 ) . With regard to basic information, the following factors were investigated: age, sex, regional characteristics, underlying disease (orthopedic disease, cerebrovascular disease, internal disease, psychiatric disorder, eye disease, others), and category of support needed (Needing Support Level 1, Needing Support Level 2).…”