Studying the degree of frailty and its related factors in the elderly undergoing hemodialysis

Frailty is one of the most common syndromes that can affect the prognosis and outcomes of the disease in the elderly undergoing hemodialysis. Therefore, it is important to identify the factors associated with frailty in this group of elderly people. The aim of this study was to determine the degree of frailty and its related factors in the elderly undergoing hemodialysis.

This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 198 older adults undergoing hemodialysis, selected using the convenience sampling method. Data were collected using questionnaire of demographic and clinical characteristics, Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS), and Fall Incidence Questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS 26 through independent t-test, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Pearson correlation coefficient.

The mean age of the elderly undergoing hemodialysis was 68.10.±7.40 years, as well as 55.4% of them were male. The mean and standard deviation of the frailty score of the older adults undergoing hemodialysis were 6.91±3.12, and most of them were susceptible to frailty. The results indicated that there was a positive and significant relationship between frailty with demographic and clinical characteristics and falling history in these people.

To improve the prognosis in the elderly undergoing hemodialysis, health care professionals should evaluate frailty using standard tools, especially considering factors such as age, gender, comorbidities, and other relevant factors and should help prevent and reduce the adverse consequences of frailty on the quality of life of this group of elderly people by designing individual care and support programs.