Frail From 45: Risk of Death More Than Three Times Higher
Graded Moderate — researchers followed 2,104 adults for 16 years; this shows links, not causes, and physical activity was self-reported.
- Design
- Prospective cohort study
- Participants
- 2,104
- Duration
- 16 years
- Funding
- The authors state that the study received no specific funding.
Adults aged 45 and older who were frail had more than three times the risk of dying of robust adults.
Frailty in midlife carries a heavy risk. In a South Korean study of people aged 45 and older, those who were frail had more than three times the risk of dying compared with robust participants. People who were somewhat frail, a stage researchers call pre-frail, had a 72 percent higher risk.
The researchers used data from 2,104 adults who were interviewed again and again between 2006 and 2022. Frailty was scored from 38 health features. Frail people also saw doctors more often, were admitted to hospital more often and stayed longer. Their care cost more. Participants reported themselves whether they met the World Health Organization goal of at least 150 minutes of activity a week.
Among pre-frail and frail people, meeting that goal was not clearly linked to a lower risk of death once other factors were taken into account. Frail people who reported that much activity even had higher healthcare costs. The authors conclude that standard activity advice alone may not be enough for this group. Activity was self-reported, though, and an observational study like this cannot tell cause from effect.
Disclaimer: Research summaries are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your health routine.