Performance-Based and Self-Reported Frailty in Older Adults with or Without Fibromyalgia

TL;DR

This study finds that pain intensity is linked to physical frailty in older adults, both through performance tests and self-reports, especially in those with fibromyalgia.

Contribution

The study introduces a two-component model of physical frailty and shows its association with pain intensity in fibromyalgia patients.

Findings

PCA identified two distinct components of physical frailty explaining 61% of the variance.

Higher pain intensity was associated with worse performance-based and self-reported frailty after adjusting for covariates.

Both performance-based and self-reported assessments are clinically useful for evaluating frailty in fibromyalgia.

Abstract

Background: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic widespread pain condition implicated in accelerated aging, functional decline, and physical frailty. Objective: This study examined differences in performance-based and self-reported physical frailty phenotypes among middle-aged and older adults with and without FM. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional sample of 234 community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults with (59.0%) or without FM was analyzed. Physical frailty was defined as weakness, low physical activity, exhaustion, and slowness, assessed using validated performance-based (Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale [FAB], 8-foot up and go test [8FUPGT], 30-second chair stand [30SCS], 6-minute walk [6MWT], 30-foot walk [30FW]) and self-report measures (Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity [RAPA], fatigue numeric rating scale). Principal component analysis (PCA) evaluated the underlying structure of physical frailty indicators, yielding performance-based and self-reported components. Standardized factor scores were used as outcomes in regression analyses examining associations with pain intensity. Results: PCA supported a two-component frailty structure explaining 61% of the variance. After adjusting for age, gender, depressive symptoms, and body mass index, greater pain intensity was associated with worse performance-based (B = −0.10, p < 0.001; adjusted R2 = 0.36) and self-reported (B = −0.10, p < 0.001; adjusted R2 = 0.39) frailty. Discussion: Findings suggest that pain intensity is associated with frailty risk among aging adults, supporting the clinical utility of both performance-based and self-reported physical frailty assessments in FM.