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Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is prevalent in those over 65. In this population, CKD is associated with additional comorbidities, particularly those marked by increased cardiovascular risk.On the other hand, individuals with CKD of the same age differ significantly in terms of their health status. Frailty increases as the disease worsens and leads to adverse outcomes. This study used ELSI Brazil data, wich is a survey representing individuals aged 50 or older residing in 70 municipalities across all five Brazilian regions. to assess frailty levels and their impact on healthcare utilization in Brazil's community-dwelling older adult population with CKD.
A secondary analysis was conducted on data from the second wave of the ELSI-Brazil survey from 2019 to 2021. The self-reported questionnaire was utilized to identify individuals with CKD. We evaluated the level of frailty by using the Frailty Index (FI) approach, with 53 items, which considers specific health conditions, disabilities and functional capacity, that may vary with age. We relied on Andersen and Newman's healthcare service utilization model to assess the use of healthcare services.
Older adults in Brazil suffering from CKD are prone to high levels of frailty. The adverse effects of this condition, such as lowered perceived health status and increased hospitalization rates, demand immediate action. We strongly encourage healthcare systems to establish programs for prompt identification and treatment of frailty in this group of patients.