Faculty of Medicine Foča, University of East Sarajevo, Lukavica, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Faculty of Medicine Foča, University of East Sarajevo, Lukavica, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Faculty of Medicine Foča, University of East Sarajevo, Lukavica, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Faculty of Medicine Foča, University of East Sarajevo, Lukavica, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Faculty of Medicine Foča, University of East Sarajevo, Lukavica, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Faculty of Medicine Foča, University of East Sarajevo, Lukavica, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Faculty of Medicine Foča, University of East Sarajevo, Lukavica, Bosnia and Herzegovina
College of Health Sciences, Prijedor, Public Health Institute of the Republic of Srpska, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Health Studies Section, Ćuprija, Academy of Applied Preschool Teaching and Health Studies, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
Introduction. Frailty is common in elderly persons and carries a high risk of poor health outcomes, including increased mortality, institutionalization, falls, and hospitalization. The aim of the work was to determine the risk factors for frailty in elderly persons.
Methods. The research was conducted in Bijeljina and Foča, in the period from February to June 2022, and was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medicine in Foča. A total of 243 respondents over the age of 65 took part in the research. When it comes to the instruments, the sociodemographic questionnaire, the EQ-5D-5L health questionnaire, the general sarcopenia rapid screening questionnaire SARC-F and the Kessler scale for the assessment of psychological distress were used.
Results. There were 43.6% of males and 56.4% of females participating in the research. One quarter (25%) of respondents evaluated their health as weak. Sarcopenia was identified in 28% of respondents, while 18.1% had a moderate and 11.9% a serious disorder in the field of psychological distress.
Conclusion. The presence of psychological distress and sarcopenia in a high percentage, as well as weak health status in the people over 65, is evident, which represents potential risk factors for frailty.
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