Frailty phenotype in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients: prevalence and relation to disease severity

Abstract

Frailty is considered a high risk for falls, disability, hospitalization, and mortality in geriatric and certain chronic-disease populations. So, this study was planned to determine the prevalence of frailty phenotype in Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Methods. 70 stable COPD patients were included in this study. Age, comorbidities (The FRAIL (Fatigue, Resistance, Ambulation, Illness, and Loss of weight) scale, BODE index, and modified Medical Research Council dyspnea score (mMRC) were recorded. In addition, each patient performed the Six-minute walk test (6-MWT) and underwent a pulmonary function test. Results. Frailty was detected in 37.3% of studied patients. However, 43.1% were classified as pre-frail. The presence of frailty was not significantly associated with the age of studied patients (p = 0.7). Comorbidities were significantly associated with frailty (p = 0.009). Also, the BODE index was significantly higher among patients with frailty (p < 0.001). Frailty was significantly associated with forced expiratory volume in 1 second, residual lung volume/Total Lung Capacity, and GOLD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease) classification of COPD (p = 0.001; p = 0.003; p = 0.003 respectively). Frailty was significantly associated with 6-MWD and Borg scale difference (Lowest 6-MWD, highest Borg scale difference were detected in frail patients (p = 0.008; p = 0.001). Conclusion. Frailty is frequent among COPD patients. The presence of frailty is related to disease severity and functional impairment. Evaluation of frailty should be considered as a part of COPD assessment in clinical practice.