Bidirectional Association Between Multimorbidity and Frailty and the Role of Depression in Older Europeans.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Although previous studies have reported an association between multimorbidity and frailty, its direction and mechanism remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the direction of this association, as well as the role of depression among older Europeans.

Methods

We used a cross-lagged panel design to evaluate the temporal relationship between multimorbidity and frailty and the role of depression. Multimorbidity status was assessed by the self-reporting of 14 chronic diseases. Frailty was assessed based on the frailty phenotype. The European-Depression Scale (EURO-D) was used to assess depression.

Results

There was a bidirectional relationship between frailty and multimorbidity. More severe multimorbidity predicted greater frailty (β = 0.159; p < .001) a

SUBMITTER: Feng Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11009466 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature