Article ID: JJCCPT22006
Purpose: This study investigated Changes in the prevalence of frailty in elderly orthopaedic outpatients before and after the COVID-19 epidemic, according to their chronological age.
Methods: This study included 966 elderly orthopaedic rehabilitation outpatients (aged ≧65 years) at our hospital. We assessed the presence of frailty by the Kihon checklist at the start of rehabilitation. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed using frailty, multiple troubles, physical function, nutritional status, oral function, outdoor activity, cognitive function, depressive mood as dependent variables.
Results: The COVID-19 epidemic was significantly associated with frailty and depressive mood among the early elderly, but not among the late elderly.
Conclusion: In COVID-19 epidemic, planning physical therapy evaluations and programs with prevention and improvement of frailty in mind is necessary, even in the early elderly.
