Research Finds 'Frailty' Increases Risk of Dementia
Sydney — A study led by the University of Queensland, Australia, reveals that frailty significantly raises the risk of dementia, a finding that may enhance strategies for preventing neurodegenerative disorders.
Sydney — A study led by the University of Queensland, Australia, reveals that frailty significantly raises the risk of dementia, a finding that may enhance strategies for preventing neurodegenerative disorders.
Frailty is a syndrome commonly observed in older adults, characterized by a decline in organ system resilience, which increases the likelihood of falls, disabilities, and hospitalizations.
This research analyzed data collected from 1997 to 2024, involving 29,849 individuals aged 60 and above from the U.S. and the U.K. Among these, 3,154 participants progressed to develop dementia.
David Ward, an expert from the university's Centre for Health Services Research, noted that these 3,154 individuals exhibited increasing and severe frailty up to nine years before being diagnosed with dementia. This suggests that frailty is not just a consequence of undetected dementia but may also contribute to its onset.
Ward emphasized that understanding the link between aging, frailty, and dementia could lead to targeted interventions that reduce risk and improve quality of life. The study supports integrating frailty screening into routine health check-ups.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), dementia—an umbrella term for conditions affecting memory, thinking, and behavior—currently impacts over 55 million people worldwide.
Source:
Xinhua Thai
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