title: Differences in lifestyle, physical performance and quality of life between frail and robust Brazilian community-dwelling elderly women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the lifestyles, physical performance and quality of life (QOL) of frail and robust Brazilian community-dwelling older women, and to identify risk factors for frailty.
  
  
  METHODS
  Frailty was assessed using the Kihon Checklist. Lifestyles were assessed using a questionnaire. Physical performance was assessed by measuring walking speeds, performance on the one-leg stand test and the five-times chair stand test and handgrip strength. QOL was assessed using the Short Form-8 questionnaire. Participants were divided into frail and robust groups based on their total Kihon Checklist scores.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 109 participants (age 70.8 ± 6.87 years) were included in this study (robust n = 85, frail n = 24). Differences in living structures (P < 0.001), financial satisfaction (P = 0.004) and the frequencies with which participants leave the house (P < 0.001) were found between groups. The frail group had more fallers (P = 0.047), and lower engagement in physical activity (P = 0.044), lower body mass indices (P = 0.043) and poorer nutritional status (P = 0.002), whereas robust older people showed better physical performance (walking speed P < 0.001, one-leg stand P = 0.021, handgrip strength P = 0.002) and higher QOL scores (general health P = 0.005, role-physical P = 0.013, bodily pain P = 0.002, vitality P = 0.001, social functioning P = 0.001, role-emotional P = 0.008). Multivariate regression analysis identified a slow usual walking speed and bodily pain as risk factors for frailty.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Frail participants had higher indices for being housebound, and having financial dissatisfaction, a sedentary lifestyle, falls, and malnutrition. Furthermore, they showed poorer physical performance and QOL. An early, well-focused approach is crucial, especially for older adults who walk slowly and have bodily pain to preserve health and QOL. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16: 829-835.
authors.affiliation: School of Physical Education, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil.
authors.forename: Priscila Yukari
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Sewo Sampaio
authors.affiliation: School of Physical Education, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ricardo Aurélio Carvalho
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Sampaio
authors.affiliation: School of Physical Education, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil.
authors.forename: Hélio José
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Coelho Júnior
authors.affiliation: School of Physical Education, UNIFIEO, Osasco, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luis Felipe M
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Teixeira
authors.affiliation: School of Physical Education, UNIFIEO, Osasco, Brazil.
authors.forename: Vitor D
authors.initials: VD
authors.lastname: Tessutti
authors.affiliation: School of Physical Education, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marco Carlos
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Uchida
authors.affiliation: National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Japan.
authors.forename: Hidenori
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Arai
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D018737:Hand Strength; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D009043:Motor Activity; D004856:Postural Balance; D011788:Quality of Life; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D000072797:Walking Speed
keywords: elderly; frailty; lifestyle; physical performance; quality of life