Age-adjusted health conditions, frailty, and functionality among older adults in primary care

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between health conditions, frailty, functionality, and age-adjusted scores among older adults receiving primary care services. This is a descriptive exploratory study conducted with 225 older adults enrolled in Primary Care in the municipality of Jequié, Bahia, Brazil. Sociodemographic data, health conditions, functionality, and frailty were assessed using instruments such as the Barthel Index, the Lawton and Brody Scale, and the VES-13. The results showed a higher prevalence of women (65.8%), presence of pain (69.3%), and high levels of functional dependence (99.1% for Instrumental Activities of Daily Living and 76.9% for Basic Activities of Daily Living). After multivariate adjustment, the following associations remained statistically significant: dependence in basic activities of daily living (RP = 1.56; 95%CI = 1.17–2.07; p < 0.01), presence of vulnerability (RP = 1.49; 95%CI = 1.07–2.07; p = 0.02), risk of falls (RP = 2.61; 95%CI = 1.56–4.39; p < 0.001), and depressive symptoms (RP = 1.34; 95%CI = 1.01–1.76; p < 0.04). The findings indicate that the presence of vulnerability, functional dependence in basic activities of daily living, and depressive symptoms are associated with lower age-adjusted scores.