The Association Between Comorbidity, Frailty, and Outdoor Mobility Loss Among Community-Dwelling Individuals 60 Years of Age and Above in Moscow.

To determine the prognostic value of frailty and comorbidity for outdoor mobility loss and mortality in the elderly. The retrospective study was conducted among outpatients aged ≥60 years. Patients with ≥3 chronic illnesses were treated by doctors who had undergone a 72-hour geriatric training. The outdoor low-mobility group comprised patients who failed to visit a doctor because of decreased outdoor mobility during the 3-year follow-up period. The outdoor high-mobility group comprised participants with no outdoor mobility loss. 5678 patients with a mean age of 71.0 ± 0.1 years were included in the study. The risk of outdoor mobility loss rose by 4% per year with men developing it 30% more than women. The effect of frailty was of particular importance because it increased the risk of developing outdoor mobility loss by 70%. Comorbidity was not associated with a higher risk of outdoor mobility loss, but the investigators did not take into account all possible illnesses, or the severity of disease. The loss of outdoor mobility was associated with increase in mortality. Early detection of frailty can help predict outdoor mobility loss and could reduce mortality among older people.

Prevalence of geriatric syndromes among people aged 65 years and older at four community clinics in Moscow.

BACKGROUND: Geriatric syndromes (GSs) are common in older adults and have a significant effect on their quality of life, disability, and use of health care resources. Few studies have assessed the prevalence of GSs in Russia. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of GSs among older adults living in the community in Moscow. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in four community clinics in Moscow. A total of 1,220 patients completed a screening questionnaire, and 356 of them also underwent a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA). RESULTS: The mean age of the 1,220 participants was 74.9±6.1 years; 75.5% were women. Based on the questionnaire, 58.3% reported visual or hearing impairment, 58.2% cognitive impairment, 46% mood disorder, 42% difficulty walking, 28.3% urinary incontinence, 21.3% traumatic falls (over the previous year), and 12.2% weight loss. The mean number of GSs per patient was 2.9±1.5. Based on CGA, a decline in Instrumental Activity of Daily Living score was identified in 34.8% of the patients, a risk of malnutrition (Mini-Nutritional Assessment score, 17-23.5) in 25.8%, probable cognitive impairment (Mini-Mental State Examination score <25) in 8.6%, and symptoms of depression (15-item Geriatric Depression Scale score >5) in 36.2%. On the whole, patients demonstrated good mobility (average walking speed, 1±0.2 m/s) and hand grip strength (23.9±6.4 kg in women and 39.1±8.3 kg in men), but poor balance (only 39.4% were able to maintain their balance on one leg for 10 s or more). CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrate a high prevalence of GSs among community-dwelling people aged 65 years and older in Moscow. The results provide a better understanding of the needs of older adults in Russia and can facilitate planning for medical and social assistance for this population.