Relation of frailty with depression among Colombian COPD adults aged over 60 years

Abstract Introduction Frailty and depression risk are common in older adults undergoing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment. However, little is known about this association in people with COPD residing in low- and middle-income countries. The study aimed to o establish the relationship between frailty and depression among ambulatory adults over 60 years with COPD in Santa Marta, Colombia. Methods A cross-sectional study was designed in which consecutive patients from the pulmonology outpatient clinic were invited to participate. Frailty was quantified with the FiND (Frail Non-Disabled [FiND] Screening Tool) [Cronbach’s alpha 0.65] and depression with the Primary Care Screening Questionnaire for Depression (PSQD) [Cronbach’s alpha 0.73]. Results Three-hundred forty-nine patients with COPD between 60 and 98 years participated (M=75.6, SD=8.4), 61.9% were males, and 19.8% presented a C or D combined evaluation. Two hundred eighty-six patients (76.8%) presented frailty with and without mobility disability, and 31.2% presented depression. The relationship of frailty with depression remained significant, even after adjusting for confounding variables (OR=2.80, 95%CI 1.42-5.51). Conclusions Frailty and depression are significantly associated after adjusting for confounding variables. More studies are welcome.