Relationship between Frailty and Geriatric syndromes among elderly attending two Primary health care centers in Cairo

Abstract

railty and geriatric syndromes are common geriatric disorders Frailty is a common ageing problem. It is a state of vulnerability to poor resolution of homoeostasis after a stressor event and is a consequence of cumulative decline in many physiological systems during a lifetime. This cumulative decline depletes homoeostatic reserves until minor stressor events trigger disproportionate changes in health status. The term geriatric syndromes (GS) has been used to describe common conditions in elderly, although not characterized as diseases, but they can lead to disability and death. GS were announced by Bernard Isaacs (1969), who called them ‘Giants of Geriatric Medicine’ and included cognitive incapacity, postural instability, immobility, urinary incontinence and iatrogenesis (poly-pharmacy). If frailty and geriatric syndromes were recognized early, preventative measures can be initiated to reduce part of the burden notably by decreasing the risk of hospitalization and institutionalization and improving the quality of life (QOL) of elderly patients. The previous researches demonstrate a high frequency of frailty in the elderly worldwide. It was also stated that GS are highly prevalent in older adults, especially the frail elderly. And there is a greater chance of the elderly becoming frail as the number of geriatric syndromes accumulates. Frail elders also have an increased risk of developing other geriatric syndromes. Knowing this dynamic can assist in interventions to