Relationship between Frailty Assessed Using the Kihon Checklist and Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

Objectives: This study investigated the relationship between frailty as assessed using the Kihon checklist (KCL) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) status.

Methods: In total, 626 consecutive patients with RA were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. We examined the patients’ KCL scores, characteristics, and clinical data. The patients were grouped according to their KCL scores as follows: robust (scores of 0–3), pre-frailty (scores of 4–7), and frailty (scores ≥8).

Results: Frailty, pre-frailty, and robust groups accounted for 36.9%, 30.5%, and 32.6% of the patients, respectively. Significant factors comparing frailty and robust groups were age (P < 0.001), Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI) (P < 0.001), and habitual exercise (P = 0.004). Significant factors comparing the pre-frailty and robust groups were age (P < 0.001) and HAQ-DI (P = 0.041).

Conclusions: In patients with RA, HAQ-DI and exercise should be managed to prevent frailty and avoid the need for long-term care. Our results will help identify those patients who can most benefit from aggressive management of RA.