Approaching frailty as the new geriatric syndrome

Rev Med Chir Soc Med Nat Iasi. 2013 Jul-Sep;117(3):680-5.

Abstract

Ageing is inevitably associated with a decline in physiologic reserves. Frailty results from reaching a threshold of decline across multiple organ systems. By consequence, it is associated with a high vulnerability and reduced ability to maintain homeostasis. This vulnerability is not only age-related, but also related to disability and comorbidity, as illustrated by three clinical cases. Sarcopenia, which is defined as age-related loss of muscle mass, is considered to be a central manifestation of frailty. In addition to being highly prevalent in elderly population, frailty also exerts a substantial impact on quality of life. As it is extremely challenging by defying conventional medication and involving new therapeutically approaches, frailty fully qualifies as a new geriatric syndrome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aging*
  • Disabled Persons
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Fatigue
  • Female
  • Frail Elderly*
  • Geriatrics*
  • Homeostasis*
  • Humans
  • Quality of Life*
  • Risk Factors
  • Sarcopenia*
  • Syndrome