Scientific Reports · Oct 23, 2026
Association of chronic pain and BMI with frailty among individuals aged 60 years and older in Beijing: a cross-sectional study
By Hu Y, Xia J, Zhao D et al.
This study aimed to investigate the moderating role of body mass index (BMI) in the association between chronic pain and frailty among community-dwelling older adults in Beijing, China. This cross-sectional study included 629 community-dwelling adults aged ≥ 60 years from the Xinjiekou community in Beijing, China, who were able to attend the assessment site and complete the required measurements. Frailty was assessed using the Fried Frailty Phenotype, adapted for the Chinese older adult population. Cognitive function was evaluated using the Chinese Mini-Mental State Examination. Chronic pain was defined as pain persisting or recurring for at least 3 months, and pain intensity was assessed using the Brief Pain Inventory–Short Form through face-to-face interviews. Multiple linear regression models with heteroskedasticity-robust standard errors were used to examine the associations of chronic pain, BMI, and their interaction with frailty. Frail participants had lower cognitive function and higher pain intensity than non-frail participants. In adjusted analyses, pain intensity was positively associated with frailty score, and the BMI × pain interaction was significant ( β = 0.030, P < 0.001), suggesting that the pain–frailty association was stronger at higher BMI levels. Chronic pain was associated with higher frailty scores among community-dwelling older adults in Beijing, China, and this association appeared stronger at higher BMI levels. These findings highlight the importance of considering both chronic pain and BMI in frailty assessment. Longitudinal studies are needed to clarify causal relationships and evaluate whether integrated pain and weight-related interventions can influence frailty progression.