Did the number of older adults with frailty increase during the COVID-19 pandemic? A prospective cohort study in Japan

Purpose To clarify the actual frail status over 6 months with the COVID-19 countermeasures. Methods This prospective cohort study was conducted between the baseline assessment from May 11 to July 10 in 2020, and the follow-up assessment from November 11, 2020, to January 10, 2021, in Japan. The survey forms were distributed among 1953 community-dwelling older adults. Frailty status was assessed using the Frailty Screening Index. Results In total, 702 older adults (35.2%) returned the survey forms, and 593 (mean age = 78.8 years, and 77.4% females) older adults without missing values for the survey forms were analyzed. Pre-frail and frail prevalence were 55.0 and 7.9% at the baseline, and 57.3 and 11.8% at the follow-up, respectively. Frailty transition that indicated transition from robust or pre-frail at the baseline to frail at the follow-up was 9.9%. Conclusion Increase in frailty might indicate frailty related to implementation of COVID-19 countermeasures. Key summary pointsAim This study aimed to clarify the actual frail status over 6 months with the COVID-19 countermeasures based on a prospective cohort study. Findings Pre-frailty and frailty prevalences among Japanese community-dwelling, older adults were 55.0 and 7.9% at the baseline, and 57.3 and 11.8% at the follow-up respectively. Frailty over the 6 months could be predicted by increasing age and multimorbidity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Message We should prevent frailty affected by the implementation of COVID-19 countermeasures.