• Lina Ma, Zhe Tang, Li Zhang, Fei Sun, Yun Li, and Piu Chan.
• Beijing Geriatric Healthcare Center, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Key Laboratory on Neurodegenerative Disease of Ministry of Education, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China.
• J Am Geriatr Soc. 2018 Mar 1; 66 (3): 559-564.

Background/ObjectivesFrailty in older adults predicts dependence and mortality and is a major challenge for healthcare systems in countries with rapidly aging populations. Little is known about frailty in China. We investigated the prevalence and associated risk factors of frailty in older adults in China.DesignCross-sectional.SettingData were obtained from the China Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment Study, conducted in 2011-12, which was the first uniform comprehensive assessment system adopted in China.ParticipantsOlder adults from 7 cities were selected based on well-established cluster, stratification, and random selection statistical sampling techniques (N = 5,844).MeasurementsThe Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment-Frailty Index was measured based on demographic characteristics, physical health, physical function, living behavior and social function, mental health, and cognitive function.ResultsThe overall weighted prevalence of frailty was 9.9%: 12.7% in southwestern China, 11.0% in northern China, 5.9% in northwestern China, 5.0% in south-central China, 2.5% in eastern China, and 2.3% in northeastern China. The prevalence of frailty increased with age and was significantly higher in women and those living in rural areas. After adjusting for sex, age, area, region, and education, activity of daily living impairment was the strongest risk factor for frailty. Chronic diseases, depression, poor lifestyle, and geriatric syndromes were also independent risk factors.ConclusionOur study provides epidemiological characteristics and the risk factors of frailty in China; the findings indicate greater regional disparities. Efforts to promote physical, psychological, and social health in older adults are a core objective of health policy, especially in women and those living in rural areas.© 2017, Copyright the Authors Journal compilation © 2017, The American Geriatrics Society.

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