Evaluation of Knee Functionality and Frailty in Individuals 65 Years and Older in Primary Care: A Cross-Sectional Study

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between knee functionality and frailty in individuals aged 65 years and olde
METHODS: Participants aged 65 years and older registered at the Family Health Center Unit were included in this cross-sectional study. The patients were administered a sociodemographic data questionnaire, the Lysholm knee scoring scale, and the fatigue, resistance, aerobics, illnesses, and weight loss (FRAIL) frailty scale during face-to-face interviews.
RESULTS: The study was conducted with 122 participants whom 74 (60.7%) were male. The frequency of frailty was 32 (26.2%) and the frequency of frailty pre-frail was 43 (35.2%). There was a relationship between FRAIL score with age and body mass index (BMI) (r=0.326 and p=0.001 for age, r=0.202 and p=0.020 for BMI). While 23 (71.9%) of the women were frail and 20 (46.5%) were pre-frail, 9 (28.1%) of the men were frail and 23 (53.5%) were pre-frail (p=0.001). There was a relationship between Lysholm scores and FRAIL total scores (r=−0.819 and p=0.001).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Loss of knee functionality may increase frailty. Therefore, evaluating knee joint functionality may be useful in frailty assessment in elderly patients.