Comparison of cognitive functions among frail and prefrail older adults: A clinical perspective

Objective: To compare cognitive function among frail and prefrail older adults. Design: Cross-sectional clinical study. Participants: Fifty-one non-institutionalized older individuals participated in this study. Measurements: Cognitive functions were evaluated through Mini-Mental State Examination (Global Cognition), Digit Span Forward (short-term memory), Digit Span Backward (working memory), Verbal Fluency Test (semantic memory/executive function). Data were compared using parametric and non-parametric bivariate tests. Binary logistic regression was used to test a frailty prediction model. Statistical significance was defined as p ≤ 0.01 to compare groups. In the regression model, the p value was set to be ≤0.05. Results: Statistically significant differences were observed in global cognition, and short-term memory between frail and prefrail individuals (p ≤ 0.01). Global cognition explained 14-19% of frailty's model. Conclusion: According to our findings, the evaluation of cognitive functions among older persons with frailty and prefrailty provides important complementary information to better manage frailty and its progression.