Exploration of the importance of geriatric frailty on health-related quality of life.

AIM: The ageing of the population is a demographic trend globally. Promoting the health of elderly persons has become a crucial priority. However, knowledge about the relationship between frailty and quality of life (QoL) remains limited. This research aimed to investigate the association between elderly frailty and QoL, and to identify whether frailty or current health status more significantly affects the QoL of elderly persons.

METHODS: This research began in 2012, and by the end of the study in April 2013, 375 samples had been collected. Structured questionnaires and the face-to-face questionnaire interviews were used. Multiple linear regression, t-test, and one-way anova were administered.

RESULTS: Elderly individuals who were hospitalized performed worse in the physical health QoL domain, whereas those who regularly attended outpatient follow-ups performed worse in the mental health QoL domain. QoL was only partially affected in both groups. All QoL domains were affected in elderly individuals with symptoms of frailty. Age, marital status, and financial status significantly affect health-related QoL.

CONCLUSION: Geriatric frailty significantly affects general QoL. Early screening of frailty-related conditions among the elderly can prompt early and proper intervention for this population.