Assessment of quality of life and frailty in hospitalized older adults: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the correlation between quality of life and the degree of frailty in hospitalized older adults. METHODS: A cross-sectional study conducted with 136 older adults aged over 60 years who had been hospitalized for at least 24 hours, were able to answer the questions, and consented to participate. Sociodemographic questionnaires, the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment for Older Adults, and the Edmonton Frail Scale were administered. Statistical analysis used Spearman's correlation coefficient, as well as Pearson's chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. RESULTS: A moderate negative correlation was observed between quality of life and frailty (r = -0.419; p = 0.001), indicating that lower quality of life scores are associated with higher levels of frailty. CONCLUSIONS: An inverse relationship was identified between quality of life and frailty in hospitalized older adults. These findings reinforce the importance of interventions aimed at promoting quality of life as a way to reduce the impacts of frailty in this population.