Prevalence of frailty in Canadians 18\u201379 years old in the Canadian Health Measures Survey

Abstract Background There is little certainty as to the prevalence of frailty in Canadians in younger adulthood. This study examines and compares the prevalence of frailty in Canadians 18\u201379 years old using the Accumulation of Deficits and Fried models of frailty. Methods The Canadian Health Measures Study data were used to estimate the prevalence of frailty in adults 18\u201379 years old. A 23-item Frailty Index using the Accumulation of Deficits Model (cycles 1\u20133; n \u2009=\u200910,995) was developed; frailty was defined as having the presence of 25% or more indices, including symptoms, chronic conditions, and laboratory variables. Fried frailty (cycles 1\u20132; n \u2009=\u20097,353) included the presence of \u22653 criteria: exhaustion, physical inactivity, poor mobility, unintentional weight loss, and poor grip strength. Results The prevalence of frailty was 8.6 and 6.6% with the Accumulation of Deficits and the Fried Model. Comparing the Fried vs. the Accumulation of Deficits Model, the prevalence of frailty was 5.3% vs. 1.8% in the 18\u201334 age group, 5.7% vs. 4.3% in the 35\u201349 age group, 6.9% vs. 11.6% in the 50\u201364 age group, and 7.8% vs. 20.2% in the 65+ age group. Some indices were higher in the younger age groups, including persistent cough, poor health compared to a year ago, and asthma for the accumulation of deficits model, and exhaustion, unintentional weight loss, and weak grip strength for the Fried model, compared to the older age groups. Conclusions These data show that frailty is prevalent in younger adults, but varies depending on which frailty tool is used. Further research is needed to determine the health impact of frailty in younger adults