# Analysis of Frailty Indices Based on Sociodemographic and Clinical Determinants in Older Women

## TL;DR

This study examines how factors like marital status, age, and health conditions affect frailty in older women.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific sociodemographic and clinical factors linked to higher frailty indices in older women.

## Key findings

- Widowed or divorced women showed higher physical and total frailty levels.
- More diagnosed illnesses and medications correlate with increased frailty.
- Older age is associated with higher psychological frailty.

## Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze levels of frailty, across physical, psychological, social, and overall dimensions, according to marital status, age, number of diagnosed illnesses, and number of medications taken in community-dwelling older women. Methods: The study included a total of 94 older women, aged between 60 and 89 years. All participants completed a sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire, as well as an instrument to measure physical, psychological, and social frailty, along with the total frailty score in the study participants. Group comparison test, such as the Kruskal–Wallis test, was applied. Results: Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in frailty were associated with marital status, clinical burden, and polypharmacy, with widowed/divorced individuals, those with more diagnosed diseases, and those taking more medications exhibiting higher physical and total frailty levels, while psychological frailty was notably higher in the oldest age group. Conclusions: The results indicate that physical and social interventions should be more relevant for older women with greater social isolation, as they may increase frailty indices and consequently the risk of hospitalization, institutionalization, and mortality.