title: Exploration of the importance of geriatric frailty on health-related quality of life.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The ageing of the population is a demographic trend globally. Promoting the health of elderly persons has become a crucial priority. However, knowledge about the relationship between frailty and quality of life (QoL) remains limited. This research aimed to investigate the association between elderly frailty and QoL, and to identify whether frailty or current health status more significantly affects the QoL of elderly persons.
  
  
  METHODS
  This research began in 2012, and by the end of the study in April 2013, 375 samples had been collected. Structured questionnaires and the face-to-face questionnaire interviews were used. Multiple linear regression, t-test, and one-way anova were administered.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Elderly individuals who were hospitalized performed worse in the physical health QoL domain, whereas those who regularly attended outpatient follow-ups performed worse in the mental health QoL domain. QoL was only partially affected in both groups. All QoL domains were affected in elderly individuals with symptoms of frailty. Age, marital status, and financial status significantly affect health-related QoL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Geriatric frailty significantly affects general QoL. Early screening of frailty-related conditions among the elderly can prompt early and proper intervention for this population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Healthcare Administration and Medical Informatics, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: I-Chen
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Healthcare Administration and Medical Informatics, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yu-Hsien
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chun-Ying
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: elderly; frailty; health-related quality of life; utilization of the health-care resources