Abstract
Objective
To examine the association between baseline frailty measurements and cognitive function 4 years later.
Design
Prospective observational study.
Participants
Two thousand seven hundred and thirty seven cognitively normal older adults.
Measurement
The appendicular muscle mass (ASM), hand grip strength, timed chair-stand test, walking speed and step length were measured at baseline. The Minimental state examination (MMSe) was administered at baseline and 4 years later.
Results
In men, all baseline frailty measurements, namely, being underweight, lower ASM, weaker grip strength, slower chair-stand test, shorter step length, slower timed walk were significantly associated with a lower MMSe score 4 years afterwards. After adjustment for age, years of education and baseline MMSe score, ASM and timed walk became insignificant. In women, all frailty measurements except underweight and low ASM were significantly associated with MMSe score 4 years later. Moreover, only weaker grip strength persisted to be significant after adjustment for age, years of education and baseline MMSe score.
Conclusion
Physical frailty, as represented by being underweight, weaker grip strength, slower chair-stand test, shorter step-length in men and weaker grip strength in women, was associated with cognitive decline over a four year period.