Frailty and Activation of the Inflammation and Coagulation Systems With and Without Clinical ComorbiditiesResults From the Cardiovascular Health Study

Abstract

THE GERIATRIC syndrome of frailty has been defined as a wasting syndrome and a physiological state of vulnerability to increased morbidity and mortality.^1,2 Frailty exacts an enormous toll on the health and well-being of older adults. Frail individuals are at much higher risk for falls, fractures, infections, the development of disabilities, hospitalization, institutionalization, and death compared with their age-matched nonfrail counterparts.^2,3 Although frailty is associated with advanced age and increased disability, evidence suggests that neither old age nor disability alone identifies those at highest risk of adverse outcomes.^3,4 In fact, frailty is predictive of adverse outcomes independent of these factors, suggesting an independent physiological etiology.^3,5