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LETTER TO THE EDITOR: “VIENI DA NONNA TUA, VIENI!” A COMMENTARY ON THE SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OF GRANDMOTHERS AND ITS IMPACT ON OLDER WOMEN’S LIVES

Hélio José Coelho-Júnior, Riccardo Calvani, Emanuele Marzetti

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Hélio José Coelho-Júnior ; Riccardo Calvani ; Emanuele Marzetti (2025): Letter to the Editor: “Vieni da Nonna Tua, Vieni!” A commentary on the social construction of grandmothers and its impact on older women’s lives. The Journal of Frailty and Aging (JFA). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjfa.2025.100119

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COMPREHENSIVE GERIATRIC AS-SESSMENT AND PRIMARY CARE BA-SED INTERVENTIONS FOR MANAGING FRAILTY IN OLDER ADULTS: AN EVI-DENCE MAP

Smiteerekha Sahoo, Tanveer Rehman, Md Shaney Ali, Haimanti Bhattacharya, AK Kavitha , Rasmiranjan Nayak, Ashok Kumar Mahakuda, Sanghamitra Pati, Jaya Singh Kshatri

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BACKGROUND: Frailty is a geriatric syndrome leading to adverse health outcomes, but can be managed through targeted interventions and potentially reversed. Primary care settings play a pivotal role in identifying and addressing frailty. This review aims to assess the effective primary care interventions and strategies to manage frailty. METHODS: This review mapped evidence to evaluate systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials in older adults (≥60 years) on primary care-based interventions for managing frailty. Data were extracted from databases including MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Cochrane CENTRAL, covering publications up to September 11, 2024. Interventions in primary care, community-based, or home-based settings were included, excluding hospitalized or bedridden individuals. The AMSTAR 2 tool assessed review quality, and interventions were categorized by type, setting, and effectiveness. RESULTS: From the 3152 studies extracted, 17 systematic reviews met the inclusion criteria. Interventions were classified into physical, nutritional, pharmacological, e-health/telemedicine, and multicomponent approaches. Multicomponent interventions, combining physical, nutritional, and cognitive strategies, demonstrated effectiveness, with significant benefits reported in 15 reviews. Community and home-based settings dominated, emphasizing accessibility. However, the quality of evidence varied, with seven reviews rated as critically low and six as high. Most studies were conducted in high-income countries, limiting their generalizability to LMICs. CONCLUSION: Multicomponent interventions delivered in community settings show significant promise for managing frailty in older adults. However, evidence gaps suggest the need for context-specific research to adapt these interventions into primary care, which can improve the health status and quality of life for ageing populations globally.

CITATION:
Smiteerekha Sahoo ; Tanveer Rehman ; Md Shaney Ali ; Haimanti Bhattacharya ; AK Kavitha ; Rasmiranjan Nayak ; Ashok Kumar Mahakuda ; Sanghamitra Pati ; Jaya Singh Kshatri (2025): Comprehensive geriatric assessment and primary care based interventions for managing frailty in older adults: An evidence map. The Journal of Frailty and Aging (JFA). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjfa.2025.100104

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ASSOCIATION OF ACCELERATED BIOLOGICAL AGING AND FRAILTY WITH THE RISK OF SEVERE INFECTION: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY IN THE UK BIOBANK

Runzhi Bai, Lulu Pan, Yifang Huang, Zixuan Jiang, Jing Wang, Yahang Liu, Chen Huang, Xueying Zheng, Yongfu Yu, Qingqing Li, Guoyou Qin

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BACKGROUND: Infectious diseases contribute substantially to morbidity and mortality among aging populations, yet the impact of biological aging on severe infection risk remains unclear. METHODS: Cox proportional hazards models estimated hazard ratios (HRs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) for associations of accelerated biological aging (measured by KDM-BA and PhenoAge) and frailty index (FI) with overall and type-specific severe infections. Life expectancy differences by biological aging status were assessed. Bivariate response surface models evaluated combined effects of FI and two biological age acceleration indicators on severe infections. RESULTS: KDM-BA acceleration (HR: 1.18; 95 % CI: 1.16 to 1.19) and PhenoAge acceleration (HR: 1.27; 95 % CI: 1.25 to 1.29) were associated with increased severe infection risk. Higher FI levels showed progressively greater risk, with HRs (95 % CIs) of 1.40 (1.38 to 1.43), 2.01 (1.96 to 2.06), 2.64 (2.53 to 2.76) and 3.37 (2.96 to 3.83) for FI categories 0.1 -< 0.2, 0.2 -< 0.3, 0.3 -< 0.4, and ≥ 0.4 versus FI < 0.1. Associations varied by infection type: KDM-BA acceleration and PhenoAge acceleration showed the strongest associations with respiratory infections, whereas the frailty index was most associated with digestive infections. Significant combined effects of FI and biological age accelerations further increased risk. Biologically younger individuals had longer life expectancy: +1.59 years (95 % CI: 1.40 to 1.77) for KDM-BA acceleration and +2.2 years (95 % CI: 2.00 to 2.40) for PhenoAge acceleration. CONCLUSION: Accelerated biological aging and frailty were significantly associated with increased risks of overall and type-specific severe infections. These findings suggest that integrating biological aging assessments into routine healthcare could improve infection risk stratification and guide targeted prevention strategies.

CITATION:
Runzhi Bai ; Lulu Pan ; Yifang Huang ; Zixuan Jiang ; Jing Wang ; Yahang Liu ; Chen Huang ; Xueying Zheng ; Yongfu Yu ; Qingqing Li ; Guoyou Qin (2025): Association of accelerated biological aging and frailty with the risk of severe infection: a prospective study in the UK Biobank. The Journal of Frailty and Aging (JFA). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjfa.2025.100118

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ASSOCIATION BETWEEN DIABETES AND FRAILTY, AND THE MODERATING ROLE OF SEX IN THAT ASSOCIATION IN OLDER ADULTS OF THE ELSA-BRASIL STUDY

Elizabeth Leite Barbosa, Rosa Weiss Telles, Maria de Jesus Mendes da Fonseca, Maria Inês Schmidt, Sandhi Maria Barreto, Bruce Duncan, Rosane Harter Griep

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OBJECTIVE: to investigate the association of diabetes and its duration with frailty and evaluate the moderating effect of sex on that association in older adults. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used data from the third visit (2017–2019) of the Estudo Longitudinal de Saúde do Adulto (ELSA-Brasil), a multicentre cohort of Brazilian civil servants. The data included were from 4886 participants aged ≥ 60 years. Diabetes was identified on the basis of self-reported diagnosis or laboratory test values. Frailty was evaluated on frailty phenotype criteria. Associations were estimated by way of multinomial regression models. RESULTS: Adjusted final models showed that older adults classified as having diabetes were 116% more likely to show frailty, and 27% more likely to show pre-frailty, than persons without diabetes. Individuals with a diagnosis before baseline and those with that diagnosis at baseline or during follow-up until visit 3 were, respectively, 145% and 92% more likely to be classified as frail, and 35% and 21% more likely to be classified as pre-frail, than individuals without diabetes. No modification by a multiplier effect of sex was observed in the final models. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Older adults with diabetes returned greater odds of pre-frailty and frailty, and the odds were even greater in those with longer times since the diagnosis of diabetes, but sex did not modify those associations. These findings endorse the need for more frequent screening of older adults with diabetes with a view to early prevention and/or intervention.

CITATION:
Elizabeth Leite Barbosa ; Rosa Weiss Telles ; Maria de Jesus Mendes da Fonseca ; Maria Inês Schmidt ; Sandhi Maria Barreto ; Bruce Duncan ; Rosane Harter Griep (2025): Association between diabetes and frailty, and the moderating role of sex in that association in older adults of the ELSA-Brasil study. The Journal of Frailty and Aging (JFA). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjfa.2025.100115

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IMPACTS OF ESOGER HOME-BASED CARE AND HEALTH SERVICES ON SPOUSAL CAREGIVERS\' ANXIETY, QUALITY OF LIFE AND BURDEN: FINDINGS FROM A PILOT RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Olivier Beauchet, Camille Normandin, Pascal Mathieu, Kevin Galéry

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BACKGROUND: Spousal caregivers of ill older adults face increasing risks of deteriorating mental health and burden. “Socio-Geriatric Evaluation” (ESOGER) is home-based care and health services for ill older adults. This study aimed to examine changes in anxiety, quality of life and burden over a 3-month period in spousal caregivers of ill older adults who benefits from ESOGER home health care and support services. METHODS/DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial (RCT) with two parallel arms enrolled 42 spousal caregivers distributed equally between the intervention group and the control group. The intervention consisted of ESOGER, a telehealth-based home care program that evaluates older adults’ health and social needs and provides personalized recommendations and referrals to health and community services to ill spouses, implemented through the Canadian Red Cross. Spousal caregivers were assessed at baseline (M0) and at three months (M3). Anxiety was evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS) ranging from 0 (no anxiety) to 10 (severe anxiety) and the EuroQol-5D assessed quality of life using. Burden was measured using the 4-item Zarit scale. RESULTS: Anxiety (P < 0.001) and burden (P = 0.003) increased significantly, and the quality of life decreased (P = 0.018) in the control group at M3 compared to M0. In the intervention group anxiety decreased significantly (P < 0.001) over the 3-months follow-up. Only burden was significantly lower in the intervention group compared to the control group (P = 0.022) at M3. The changes in scores of the 4-item Zarit scale between M0 and M3 (P = 0.011) and of the EQ-5D visual analogue scale (P = 0.024) were significantly different between groups, showing an improvement in the intervention group. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the positive impact of ESOGER home-based care on spousal caregivers, showing reduced anxiety and burden while improving quality of life. These findings underscore the importance of structured home care services in supporting caregivers' well-being and sustaining home-based care for older adults.

CITATION:
Olivier Beauchet ; Camille Normandin ; Pascal Mathieu ; Kevin Galéry (2025): Impacts of ESOGER home-based care and health services on spousal caregivers' anxiety, quality of life and burden: Findings from a pilot randomized controlled trial. The Journal of Frailty and Aging (JFA). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjfa.2025.100114

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PREVALENCE OF INTRINSIC CAPACITY DECLINE AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING AMONG PRE-FRAIL AND FRAIL OLDER ADULTS IN A COMMUNITY-BASED GERIATRIC SERVICES HUB MODEL

Lydia Au, Izza Elyana Bte Azhar, Jer En Lee, Jasmine Shimin Lim, Alexa Lai, Bernice MH Chua, Yu Ann Tan, Reshma A. Merchant

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INTRODUCTION: As Singapore’s population rapidly ages, there is a growing need to proactively address frailty and intrinsic capacity (IC) decline to delay disability and preserve independence. This study aims to a) determine prevalence of IC decline in frail older patients referred to the geriatric service hub (GSH), stratified by age and frailty status and b) determine its association with activity of daily living (ADL). METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2019 to March 2022. Community-dwelling older adults (≥65 years) identified as pre-frail or frail in selected primary care clinics and eldercare centers were referred to the GSH for further evaluation. All participants received a comprehensive geriatric assessment, which included Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) scoring and evaluation of six IC domains: locomotion, vitality, cognition, sensory (vision and hearing), psychological, and continence. Functional status was assessed using the Modified Barthel Index and self-reported ADL and instrumental ADL (IADL). RESULTS: Among 372 participants, 52.2 % were aged 65–79 (old) and 47.8 % were ≥ 80 years (old-old). Approximately two-thirds were classified as CFS 4 or 5. IC decline was significantly more prevalent in the “old-old” group, especially in locomotion (94.4 %), vitality (94.5 %), cognition (68.4 %), vision (78.7 %), and hearing (33.1 %). Despite IC decline, up to two-thirds of participants remained independent or only mildly dependent in ADL. IC impairment increased progressively with advancing frailty and age. In multivariate logistic regression, moderate to severe ADL dependency was independently associated with impaired locomotion (aOR 5.105; 95 % CI 1.023–25.477) and vision impairment (aOR 2.607; 95 % CI 1.234–5.508). CONCLUSION: IC screening in primary care is a feasible and effective approach that may contribute to detection of early functional decline. The high burden of multidomain IC impairment, particularly among the oldest and most frail, supports the need for upstream, integrated, and age-inclusive screening and intervention strategies in community settings.

CITATION:
Lydia Au ; Izza Elyana Bte Azhar ; Jer En Lee ; Jasmine Shimin Lim ; Alexa Lai ; Bernice MH Chua ; Yu Ann Tan ; Reshma A. Merchant (2025): Prevalence of intrinsic capacity decline and its association with activities of daily living among pre-frail and frail older adults in a community-based geriatric services hub model. The Journal of Frailty and Aging (JFA). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjfa.2025.100105

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ASSOCIATION BETWEEN THE FRAILTY INDEX AND PSORIASIS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY OF THE U.S. NHANES 2003–2006

Xiaodan Wang, Wenjia Weng, Zhenzhen Yan, Ming Zhang, Juan Li, Bingbing Song, Yanqing Gao

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BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease often accompanied by various comorbidities, but its relationship with frailty remains understudied. The Frailty Index (FI), calculated based on 49 health deficits across multiple systems (e.g., cognition, function, comorbidities, laboratory values) was used as a continuous measure. OBJECTIVES: We investigated the association between psoriasis and the Frailty Index (FI), providing evidence to support the implementation of frailty screening and potential interventions in patients with psoriasis. DESIGN AND SETTING: This cross-sectional study used data from the 2003–2006 U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) including 6532 participants. MEASUREMENTS: We analyzed the psoriasis–FI relationship using weighted nested regression, supplemented by subgroup analyses and restricted cubic spline regression to test for nonlinear relationships. RESULTS: The FI was significantly higher in patients with psoriasis (n = 162) than in those without (n = 6370; P < 0.001). Weighted nested regression analysis showed a significant positive association between FI and psoriasis (OR 2.22; 95% CI 1.14–4.35; P = 0.02). The association was stronger for male patients, those with normal body mass index, hypertension, and diabetes. Nonlinear relationships were observed between FI and psoriasis. CONCLUSIONS: The present study validates the association between psoriasis and frailty using a nationally representative sample and provides empirical support for integrating frailty evaluations into psoriasis care. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that chronic inflammatory pathways may underlie the association between psoriasis and frailty.

CITATION:
Xiaodan Wang ; Wenjia Weng ; Zhenzhen Yan ; Ming Zhang ; Juan Li ; Bingbing Song ; Yanqing Gao (2025): Association between the Frailty Index and psoriasis: a cross-sectional study of the U.S. NHANES 2003–2006. The Journal of Frailty and Aging (JFA).https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjfa.2025.100102

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JFA N°06 - 2025

 

IMPACTS OF SARCOPENIA AND RESISTANCE EXERCISE TRAINING ON MITOCHONDRIAL QUALITY CONTROL PROTEINS

Catherine B. Springer-Sapp, Olayinka O. Ogbara, Odessa Addison, Sarah Kuzmiak-Glancy, Steven J. Prior

J Frailty Aging 2025;14(6)

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BACKGROUND: The progression of sarcopenia with aging may be related to mitochondrial dysfunction due in part to altered mitochondrial dynamics (fusion, fission, mitophagy, and biogenesis). Previous work has identified altered expression of proteins associated with these processes in with aging, but whether further changes occur in sarcopenia remains unclear. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess protein expression of markers of mitochondrial fusion (Mfn2, Opa1), fission (Drp1, Fis1), mitophagy (Parkin), biogenesis (PGC-1α), and content (Complex IV: CIV) in sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic older adults. We also determined whether resistance training affected skeletal muscle mitochondrial content and expression of mitochondrial quality control proteins in sarcopenic older adults. DESIGN: Longitudinal exercise training study, with cross-sectional baseline comparison. SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS: Ten older adults with mild-moderate sarcopenia, plus ten non-sarcopenic, matched older adults from Maryland, USA. INTERVENTION: Twelve-week resistance training. MEASUREMENTS: Strength, sarcopenic index (ALM/BMI: appendicular lean mass divided by body mass index), body composition, and mitochondrial morphology and protein expression in vastus lateralis muscle. RESULTS: No differences in protein expression were observed between sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic participants at baseline; however, ALM/BMI was inversely related to CIV expression (r = -0.55, P = 0.013) across all subjects. Similarly, lean body mass and ALM correlated inversely with expression of the fusion protein Opa1-S (r = -0.55 - -0.51, P ≤ 0.022). Resistance training increased strength in sarcopenic older adults by 13 % (P = 0.02), but this group’s expression of mitochondrial quality control proteins was mostly unaltered. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of sarcopenia identified by ALM/BMI was not associated with changes in protein expression that are consistent with impaired mitochondrial dynamics beyond those changes that might occur with aging alone. While short-term resistance training increased strength in older adults with sarcopenia, this was not accompanied by changes in protein expression, with the possible exception of fusion protein Mfn2.

CITATION:
Catherine B. Springer-Sapp ; Olayinka O. Ogbara ; Odessa Addison ; Sarah Kuzmiak-Glancy ; Steven J. Prior (2025): Impacts of sarcopenia and resistance exercise training on mitochondrial quality control proteins. The Journal of Frailty and Aging (JFA). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjfa.2025.100090

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WALKING THROUGH AGING: A REVIEW OF GAIT LABORATORY-BASED ASSESSMENTS AND GERIATRIC SYNDROMES

Catherine van\'t Hoff, Anthony Bull, Michael Fertleman

J Frailty Aging 2025;14(6)

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Gait is a complex, multifaceted process involving multiple organ systems. Both gait and transfer activities are key requirements for independent living. As individuals age, gait undergoes characteristic changes, including reduced walking speed, altered stride length, and increased variability. These changes are closely linked to the frailty syndromes of immobility, instability, cognitive impairment, incontinence, and iatrogenic harm. Alterations in gait and transfer activities can serve as early predictors of falls, increased dependency, cognitive decline, and depression. Urinary incontinence and nocturia are associated with reduced mobility, a higher risk of falls, and fractures. Notably, the urge to void itself can influence gait patterns. Medications, particularly anticholinergics and polypharmacy, further contribute to gait disturbances, compounding falls risk. Given its strong association with cognitive and functional decline, gait analysis is a crucial component of comprehensive geriatric evaluation. Recognising and addressing gait abnormalities can enhance patient outcomes by mitigating the broader impact on geriatric frailty syndromes.

CITATION:
Catherine van't Hoff ; Anthony Bull ; Michael Fertleman (2025): Walking through aging: A review of gait laboratory-based assessments and geriatric syndromes. The Journal of Frailty and Aging (JFA). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjfa.2025.100103

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SATISFACTION WITH COMMUNITY WALKING PROGRAM (WALK ON!): OLDER ADULTS AND PROGRAM LEADERS’ PERSPECTIVE

Rahma Ajja, Elizabeth Chmelo Kemp, Tami Guerrier, Justin B. Moore, Jaime M. Hughes, Mark A. Hirsch, Barbara Nicklas

J Frailty Aging 2025;14(6)

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BACKGROUND: Community-based programs play a critical role in providing frail older adults with a safe environment to engage in physical activity. Satisfaction is a key indicator of such programs’ acceptability while also playing a significant role in older adults’ long-term participation in physical activity. Moreover, program leaders’ satisfaction with training and confidence in program delivery are essential for ensuring the effectiveness and sustainability of community-based programs. The Walk On! program is a 12-week structured community-based program consisting of 24 sessions each lasting 60 min, designed for older adults with mobility challenges. Evaluating older adults’ satisfaction with the Walk On program and program leaders’ satisfaction with the training is crucial for informing strategies to facilitate broader dissemination and sustained implementation. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate older adults’ (1) satisfaction with the Walk On! program, (2) perceived benefits on walking ability and overall well-being, and (3) program leaders’ satisfaction with the Walk On! training. DESIGN: Pilot implementation trial. SETTING: Four community organization sites located in North Carolina, USA. PARTICIPANTS: 42 older adult participants (mean age 79 years old; 87% female) and 9 all-female program leaders. MEASUREMENTS: Older adult participants’ survey was completed at the end of the 12-week program cycle. Program leaders’ survey was completed at the end of the training workshops. RESULTS: Older adult participants reported high satisfaction with the Walk On! program (n = 42, 100%), and perceived improvements across multiple domains: including strength and endurance, social support and enjoyment, walking confidence, self-efficacy and goal setting, and balance after program participation. All program leaders (n = 9) rated the training as either excellent (67%) or good (33%) and reported that the training was relevant and provided adequate preparation to lead the Walk On! program. CONCLUSION: The Walk On! program was acceptable and perceived as impactful among older adult participants, and program leaders were highly satisfied with the Walk On! training. Together, these positive findings support the scaling and expansion of Walk On! into additional community settings.

CITATION:
Rahma Ajja ; Elizabeth Chmelo Kemp ; Tami Guerrier ; Justin B. Moore ; Jaime M. Hughes ; Mark A. Hirsch ; Barbara Nicklas (2025): Satisfaction with community walking program (Walk On!): Older adults and program leaders’ perspective. The Journal of Frailty and Aging (JFA). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjfa.2025.100112

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“BALANCE T” DEVICE IMPROVES BALANCE CONFIDENCE AND PERFORMANCE IN REPEATED MEASURES STUDY

Courtney Walker, June Nicholas, Crystal Szczesny, Jeremy Walston, Yuri Agrawal, Michael C Schubert

J Frailty Aging 2025;14(6)

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PURPOSE: The purpose of this research is to determine if balance can be improved in older adults from exercising at home using a novel piece of exercise equipment called the “Balance T”. METHOD: Fifty older adults (77.9 ± 6.7 years old) participated in a four-week home exercise, open-label clinical pilot study investigating ability to improve balance using the Balance T device. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale, Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), Timed Up and Go (TUG), Clinical Test of the Sensory Interaction on Balance (CTSIB), Balance T Change Score (BTCS), and a user-opinion survey. Statistical analyses comprised parametric and non-parametric tests for pre-post exercise comparisons as well as evaluated balance differences across frailty status using established frailty-defining criteria. RESULTS: Frail participants at-risk for falls exhibited greater improvement in balance confidence compared to robust participants, with a mean change of 5.28 ± 12.9 (p < 0.001). In addition, each performance variable of balance showed clinically significant and meaningful changes after completing the Balance T exercise program. Participants reported the Balance T device as easy and safe to use with benefits gained at improving their balance. CONCLUSION: The Balance T device proved feasible for home use, showing preliminary evidence of improved balance performance and confidence, particularly among frail adults.

CITATION:
Courtney Walker ; June Nicholas ; Crystal Szczesny ; Jeremy Walston ; Yuri Agrawal ; Michael C Schubert (2025): “Balance T” device improves balance confidence and performance in repeated measures study. The Journal of Frailty and Aging (JFA). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjfa.2025.100113

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THE INTERRELATIONSHIP OF FRAILTY, MULTIMORBIDITY AND DISABILITY IN PARKINSON’S DISEASE: PRIME-UK CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Emma Tenison, Yoav Ben-Shlomo, Anahita Nodehi, Emily J Henderson

J Frailty Aging 2025;14(6)

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BACKGROUND: The prevalence of Parkinson’s disease rises with age and so patients may also be living with multimorbidity, two or more long-term conditions, and frailty, a loss of physiological reserve. However, these individuals are typically under-represented in clinical research. The aim was to describe the prevalence and interrelationship of frailty, multimorbidity, disability, sarcopenia and polypharmacy in a representative sample of people with parkinsonism recruited to the PRIME-UK cross-sectional study. METHODS: In this single-centre cross-sectional study of people with parkinsonism, we supported the inclusion of typically under-represented groups including those with impaired capacity to consent to the research. Participants, or their representative, completed questionnaires including self-reported comorbidities, medications, a sarcopenia screening tool and measures of frailty and disability. Venn diagrams were used to show the overlap between these domains and a hierarchical cluster analysis was performed to explore clustering. RESULTS: Only 78 (16.8 %) were categorised as neither frail nor multimorbid nor disabled. Almost all patients living with frailty were additionally living with disability and/or multimorbidity. It was uncommon to have multimorbidity and frailty without disability. Only 6 (1.3 %) had frailty without probable sarcopenia. Individuals clustered into three groups based on co-occurrence of some or all of these five domains. CONCLUSIONS: Amongst a representative sample of people with parkinsonism, there was a high frequency and co-occurrence of pre-frailty/frailty, sarcopenia, multimorbidity, polypharmacy and disability. This has implications for the structuring of health services for people with parkinsonism. There may also be opportunities to intervene to stop or slow the trajectory towards disability.

CITATION:
Emma Tenison ; Yoav Ben-Shlomo ; Anahita Nodehi ; Emily J Henderson (2025): The interrelationship of frailty, multimorbidity and disability in Parkinson’s disease: PRIME-UK cross-sectional study. The Journal of Frailty and Aging (JFA). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjfa.2025.100073

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THE INFLUENCE OF ETHNICITY ON FRAILTY IN A UNITED KINGDOM (UK) POPULATION

AH Heald, W Lu, R Williams, K Mccay, A Clegg, C Todd, A Maharani, MJ Cook, TW O’Neill

J Frailty Aging 2025;14(6)

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BACKGROUND: Frailty is an important and increasing clinical and public health problem. Within the United Kingdom (UK). Most data relating to the occurrence of frailty is derived from Caucasian groups. This study aimed to determine the influence of ethnicity on the occurrence of frailty in a large UK urban conurbation. We also looked at frailty-related risk of severe illness related to COVID-19 infection. METHODS: Using data from the Greater Manchester Health Record (GMCR), we analysed primary care electronic medical records of 534,367 men and women aged 60 years and over who were alive on 1st January 2020. We assessed frailty using an electronic frailty index (eFI) and categorised subjects as fit, mild, moderate, and severe frailty. We used logistic regressions to examine the association between moderate and severe frailty (eFI ≥ 0.25) and ethnicity adjusted with age, sex and area deprivation (as measured using Townsend Index). We also looked among those with a first positive COVID test, the influence of frailty on subsequent admission to the hospital within 28 days. RESULTS: The majority of subjects were White (84 %), with 4.7 % describing themselves as Asian or Asian British, and 1.3 % Black or Black British. The unadjusted prevalence of moderate to severe frailty (eFI ≥ 0.25) was 22.1 %. Compared to the prevalence of frailty in Whites (22.5 %), the prevalence was higher in those of Asian or Asian British ethnicity (28.1 %) and lower in those of Black/Black British descent (18.7 %). After adjustment for age, gender, and deprivation, the risk of frailty remained higher in Asians (Odds Ratio = 1.61; 95 % Confidence Intervals = 1.56–1.66) and lower in Black British (OR = 0.73; 95 % CI 0.68–0.78) compared to White British. Among those with a positive COVID-19 test, those with frailty were more likely to require admission to the hospital within 28 days (OR = 1.61; 95 % CI = 1.53, 1.69). CONCLUSIONS: There is variation in the occurrence of frailty across Greater Manchester across ethnic groups, with higher frequency among those of Asian or Asian British descent and lower frequency among those of Black or Black British descent. This study has added to our understanding of the way that frailty prevalence maps across communities, in this case in a large European conurbation. Further research is required to understand the causes of ethnic variation in frailty and whether ethnicity influences frailty outcomes.

CITATION:
AH Heald ; W Lu ; R Williams ; K Mccay ; A Clegg ; C Todd ; A Maharani ; MJ Cook ; TW O’Neill (2025): The influence of ethnicity on frailty in a United Kingdom (UK) population. The Journal of Frailty and Aging (JFA). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjfa.2025.100089

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FRAILTY ASSESSMENT UTILIZATION AROUND THE GLOBE–A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Samantha Gaston, Elle Billman, Lichy Han, David Drover

J Frailty Aging 2025;14(6)

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BACKGROUND: Recent expert guidelines recommend that frailty assessments (FAs) encompass physical, functional, cognitive, social, and mental health domains. This systematic review examines FAs administered globally between 2015 to 2022 in geriatric participants (65 years and older) to characterize the parameters used to assess frailty. METHODS: Following PRISMA guidelines, we screened 3,859 articles and included 202 in the final analysis. FA parameters were coded into 45 health-related categories defined by the authors to evaluate the domains most frequently used. RESULTS: Across 39 countries, 291 FAs were identified, with an average number of 17.36 parameters per instrument. Of the 4,995 total parameters analyzed, 22.32 % assessed functional health or physical performance. Cognitive, mental, and social health were assessed by only 6.09 %, 6.35 %, and 5.01 % of parameters, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: FAs overwhelmingly measure functional and physical health parameters with limited attention to cognitive, mental, and social domains. This imbalance suggests that instruments may fall short of capturing the multidimensional nature of frailty as recommended by recent guidelines. By cataloging current FAs, their components, and the degree to which they reflect comprehensive frailty definitions, this review highlights the need for further research and refinement of FAs to ensure accurate, holistic assessment across diverse clinical settings.

CITATION:
Samantha Gaston ; Elle Billman ; Lichy Han ; David Drover (2025): Frailty assessment utilization around the globe–a systematic review. The Journal of Frailty and Aging (JFA). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjfa.2025.100088

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A TWO-STAGE ANALYSIS OF SOCIAL MEDIA USE PATTERNS, PSYCHOSOCIAL WELL-BEING, AND FRAILTY IN AN AGING JAPAN

Yuki Nakada, Yuna Seo

J Frailty Aging 2025;14(6)

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BACKGROUND: In Japan's super-aged society, frailty prevention is a critical public health issue. While social media use is increasing among older adults, its impact on well-being is complex and not fully understood beyond a simple active-passive dichotomy. This study aims to explore the relationship between specific social media usage patterns, users' psychosocial backgrounds, and frailty risk. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey of 950 community-dwelling older adults in Japan. Frailty was assessed using the Kihon Checklist. A two-stage analysis was performed: 1) K-means cluster analysis was used to classify participants based on eight SOCIAL MEDIA use behavior variables, followed by a Kruskal-Wallis test to compare psychosocial characteristics across clusters; 2) Ordinal logistic regression analysis was used to identify specific behaviors associated with frailty after adjusting for covariates. RESULTS: Three distinct user clusters were identified: “Balanced, reality-oriented communicators” (n = 333), “Low-engagement, passive users” (n = 419), and “Active, multi-purpose users” (n = 198). The “Low-engagement” group reported the highest levels of loneliness and unhappiness, despite high real-world social participation. Regression analysis revealed that the specific behavior of “using social media to keep a record of my own activities” (self-documentation) was independently associated with an increased risk of frailty (β = 0.105, p < .05). Conversely, high exercise self-efficacy (p < .001), sleep satisfaction (p < .01), and satisfaction with face-to-face communication (p < .001) were protective factors. CONCLUSION: Social media usage patterns reflect underlying psychosocial states, but are not direct predictors of frailty. The motivation-driven behavior of self-documentation, rather than general activity, is a risk factor. These findings suggest that interventions should focus on the quality and function of social media use, promoting digital literacy that enhances well-being in older adults.

CITATION:
Yuki Nakada ; Yuna Seo (2025): A two-stage analysis of social media use patterns, psychosocial well-being, and frailty in an aging Japan. The Journal of Frailty and Aging (JFA). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjfa.2025.100091

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LIFE-COURSE SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH FRAILTY IN LATER LIFE

Mathilde Glud Christensen, Katja Kemp Jacobsen, Charlotte Juul Nilsson, Randi Jepsen, Lau Caspar Thygesen, Charlotte Suetta, Ellen Astrid Holm

J Frailty Aging 2025;14(6)

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PURPOSE: Frailty increases with age and is associated with negative health outcomes as falls, hospitalization, and mortality. Socio-economic situation (SES) in childhood and adulthood are associated with frailty. It is unclear how the interaction of childhood hardship and adulthood SES effects frailty. METHODS: A register-based study using data from national registers and from the Lolland-Falster Health Study, involving individuals aged 50 and above. Frailty status was assessed using a modified version of Fried’s phenotype. Logistic regression models with multiple adjustments were used to analyze the odds of frailty. Causal interactions between economic hardship in adulthood, perception of childhood, self-reported stressful events in childhood, and self-reported educational level were assessed by estimating the relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI). RESULTS: The study included 10,163 individuals. The percentage of individuals fulfilling 2–5 frailty criteria varied between 17 % in the 50–65 age group and 44.9 % in the 85+ age group. Women had a higher proportion of fulfilling 2–5 frailty criteria (21.5 %) compared to men (17.2 %). Socio-economic factors associated with frailty status included perception of childhood, stressful childhood events, educational attainment, and economic hardship in adulthood. A significant causal additive effect on the percentage of individuals fulfilling 2–5 frailty criteria was demonstrated for two composite outcomes: perception of childhood + educational attainment and stressful events in childhood + economic hardship in adulthood. CONCLUSION: The study showed that joint exposure to adverse socio-economic factors in childhood and adulthood, potentiated the odds of frailty in older adults. Our findings corroborate the theory of cumulative dis/advantage.

CITATION:
Mathilde Glud Christensen ; Katja Kemp Jacobsen ; Charlotte Juul Nilsson ; Randi Jepsen ; Lau Caspar Thygesen ; Charlotte Suetta ; Ellen Astrid Holm (2025): Life-course socio-economic factors associated with frailty in later life. The Journal of Frailty and Aging (JFA). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjfa.2025.100107

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FRAIL2FIT STUDY: IT WAS FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE FOR VOLUNTEERS TO DELIVER A REMOTE HEALTH INTERVENTION TO OLDER ADULTS WITH FRAILTY

SJ Meredith, L Holt, J Varkonyi-Sepp, A Bates, KA Mackintosh, MA McNarry, S Jack, J Murphy, MPW Grocott, SER Lim

J Frailty Aging 2025;14(6)

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BACKGROUND: Physical activity (PA) and good nutrition are key to maintaining independence and reversing frailty among older adults. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of training volunteers to deliver a remote multimodal intervention to older people with frailty after hospital discharge. DESIGN: Quasi-experimental mixed-methods feasibility study. SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-seven older adults (mean age 80 years, 15 female) with frailty (Clinical Frailty Status ≥5) were enrolled from a National Health Service South England hospital, UK. INTERVENTION: Volunteers were trained to deliver a 3-month intervention, comprising exercise, behaviour change, and nutrition guidance in a group, or one-to-one, using telephone or online platforms. MEASUREMENTS: Feasibility was assessed by determining the number of volunteers recruited, trained, and retained; participant recruitment; and intervention adherence. Interviews were conducted with 16 older adults, 1 carer, and 5 volunteers to explore intervention acceptability, and were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Secondary health outcomes, such as physical activity and appetite, were compared at baseline, post-intervention, and follow-up (3-months). RESULTS: The intervention was safe and acceptable to volunteers, and older adults with frailty. Five volunteers (mean age 16 years, 3 female) completed training, and 60 % (n = 3) were retained. Seventeen participants completed the intervention (8 online; 9 telephone). Participants attended 75 % (IQR 38–92) online sessions, and 80 % (IQR 68.5–94.5) telephone support. Volunteers provided emotional support to older people with frailty and encouraged health behaviour change. Older people learnt from each other’s shared experiences in the online group, and telephone calls provided them with reassurance and monitoring. Key components to success were volunteers received comprehensive training and support from a health practitioner, while key barriers were that participants lacked social support and experienced exercise discomfort. CONCLUSION: With appropriate training and support, volunteers can safely deliver a remote multimodal intervention for older adults with frailty following discharge from hospital.

CITATION:
SJ Meredith ; L Holt ; J Varkonyi-Sepp ; A Bates ; KA Mackintosh ; MA McNarry ; S Jack ; J Murphy ; MPW Grocott ; SER Lim (2025): Frail2Fit study: it was feasible and acceptable for volunteers to deliver a remote health intervention to older adults with frailty. The Journal of Frailty and Aging (JFA). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjfa.2025.100092

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EXPLORATORY FUNCTIONAL AND QUALITY OF LIFE OUTCOMES WITH DAILY CONSUMPTION OF THE KETONE ESTER BIS-OCTANOYL (R)-1,3-BUTANEDIOL IN HEALTHY OLDER ADULTS: A RANDOMIZED, PARALLEL ARM, DOUBLE-BLIND, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED STUDY

Brianna J Stubbs, Elizabeth B Stephens, Tyler Mansfield, Chatura Senadheera, Stephanie Roa Diaz, Sawyer Peralta, Laura Alexander, Wendie Silverman-Martin, Jamie Kurtzig, B? Ashen Fernando, Thelma Y Garcia, Michi Yukawa, Jennifer Morris, James T Yurkovich, Anne B. Newman, James B Johnson, Peggy M. Cawthon, John C Newman

J Frailty Aging 2025;14(6)

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BACKGROUND: Ketone bodies are metabolites produced during fasting or on a ketogenic diet that have pleiotropic effects on the inflammatory and metabolic aging pathways underpinning frailty in vivo models. Ketone esters (KEs) are compounds that induce hyperketonemia without dietary changes and that may impact physical and cognitive function in young adults. The functional effects of KEs have not been studied in older adults. OBJECTIVES: Our long-term goal is to examine if KEs modulate aging biology mechanisms and clinical outcomes relevant to frailty in older adults. Here, we report the exploratory functional and quality-of-life outcome measures collected during a 12-week safety and tolerability study of KE (NCT05585762). DESIGN: Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, parallel-group, pilot trial of 12-weeks of daily KE ingestion. SETTING: The Clinical Research Unit at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, California. PARTICIPANTS: Community-dwelling older adults (≥65 years), independent in activities of daily living, with no unstable acute medical conditions (n = 30). INTERVENTION: Participants were randomly allocated (1:1) to consume 25 g daily of either KE (bis-octanoyl (R)-1,3-butanediol) or a taste, appearance, and calorie-matched placebo (PLA) containing canola oil. MEASUREMENTS: Longitudinal change in physical function, cognitive function and quality of life were assessed as exploratory outcomes in n = 23 completers (n = 11 PLA, n = 12 KE). A composite functional outcome intended for interventional frailty trials was derived and calculated. Heart rate and activity was measured throughout the study using digital wearables. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant longitudinal differences between groups in exploratory functional, activity-based or quality of life outcomes. CONCLUSION: Daily ingestion of 25 g of KE did not affect exploratory functional or quality-of-life end points in this pilot cohort of healthy older adults. Future work will address these endpoints as primary and secondary outcomes in a larger trial of pre-frail older adults.

CITATION:
Brianna J Stubbs ; Elizabeth B Stephens ; Tyler Mansfield ; Chatura Senadheera ; Stephanie Roa Diaz ; Sawyer Peralta ; Laura Alexander ; Wendie Silverman-Martin ; Jamie Kurtzig ; B․ Ashen Fernando ; Thelma Y Garcia ; Michi Yukawa ; Jennifer Morris ; James T Yurkovich ; Anne B. Newman ; James B Johnson ; Peggy M. Cawthon ; John C Newman (2025): Exploratory functional and quality of life outcomes with daily consumption of the ketone ester bis-octanoyl (R)-1,3-butanediol in healthy older adults: a randomized, parallel arm, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The Journal of Frailty and Aging (JFA). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjfa.2025.100106

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR : THE INTERSECTION OF MITOCHONDRIAL DYNAMICS AND SARCOPENIC PHENOTYPING: A CALL FOR MECHANISTIC DETAIL

Parth Aphale, Himanshu Shekhar, Shashank Dokania

J Frailty Aging 2025;14(6)

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CITATION:
Parth Aphale ; Himanshu Shekhar ; Shashank Dokania (2025): Letter to the Editor: The intersection of mitochondrial dynamics and sarcopenic phenotyping: A call for mechanistic detail. The Journal of Frailty and Aging (JFA). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjfa.2025.100116

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