Prevalence of frailty and association with intrinsic capacity decline among community-dwelling older people in Cameroon: a cross sectional study

Abstract Background Frailty and impairment in intrinsic capacity (IC) have been shown to increase the risk of poor outcomes in older people. We aimed to determine the prevalence of frailty and its association with decline in IC among people aged 60 and over in Cameroon. Methods This cross-sectional...

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Main Authors: Marie-Josiane Ntsama Essomba, Régine Mylène Mballa Mba, Landry Ekwalla Kameni, Patrick Tchebegna, Florence Denise Mvondo Lema, Maturin Tabue-Teguo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-05-01
Series:BMC Geriatrics
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-06011-7
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author Marie-Josiane Ntsama Essomba
Régine Mylène Mballa Mba
Landry Ekwalla Kameni
Patrick Tchebegna
Florence Denise Mvondo Lema
Maturin Tabue-Teguo
author_facet Marie-Josiane Ntsama Essomba
Régine Mylène Mballa Mba
Landry Ekwalla Kameni
Patrick Tchebegna
Florence Denise Mvondo Lema
Maturin Tabue-Teguo
author_sort Marie-Josiane Ntsama Essomba
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Frailty and impairment in intrinsic capacity (IC) have been shown to increase the risk of poor outcomes in older people. We aimed to determine the prevalence of frailty and its association with decline in IC among people aged 60 and over in Cameroon. Methods This cross-sectional study included community-dwellers aged ≥ 60 years. Frailty was assessed using Fried’s criteria and IC decline using step 1 of the Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE). Any abnormality reported for one of the six IC domains was considered as a positive screening. The significance level was p < 0.05. Results Among 108 participants included (64.8% women, median age 70 years (65–75)), all had a decline of at least one IC. The prevalence of frailty was 52.8%.The main domains involved were cognition (93.5%), vision (88%) and hearing (87%). Compared to participants without frailty, the frail group was older, achieved lower education, had fewer children, had a more frequent history of falls and a higher number of deficits in IC domains. In the multivariable model, after adjusting for age, sex and comorbidities, the participants with preserved mobility (OR 0.18, 95%CI 0.068–0.49) and vitality (OR 0.11 95%CI 0.04–0.28) were likely to have a lower risk of frailty. Conclusion Frailty and IC impairment were common in this group of older Cameroonians. Further research with the monitoring of trajectories of IC and frailty as a research outcome may allow better comparison to tailor interventions taking into account our local resources. Clinical trial number Not applicable.
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spelling doaj-art-d4b9e3e5210c4b0089cff9e4331ee1772025-08-20T03:07:57ZengBMCBMC Geriatrics1471-23182025-05-012511810.1186/s12877-025-06011-7Prevalence of frailty and association with intrinsic capacity decline among community-dwelling older people in Cameroon: a cross sectional studyMarie-Josiane Ntsama Essomba0Régine Mylène Mballa Mba1Landry Ekwalla Kameni2Patrick Tchebegna3Florence Denise Mvondo Lema4Maturin Tabue-Teguo5Geriatrics Unit, Yaounde Central HospitalGeriatrics Unit, Yaounde Central HospitalGeriatrics Unit, Rive de Seine HospitalGeriatrics Unit, Centre Hospitalier Intercommunal de Haute-ComtéGeriatrics Unit, Yaounde Central HospitalClinical Epidemiology and Aging Team, French West Indies UniversityAbstract Background Frailty and impairment in intrinsic capacity (IC) have been shown to increase the risk of poor outcomes in older people. We aimed to determine the prevalence of frailty and its association with decline in IC among people aged 60 and over in Cameroon. Methods This cross-sectional study included community-dwellers aged ≥ 60 years. Frailty was assessed using Fried’s criteria and IC decline using step 1 of the Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE). Any abnormality reported for one of the six IC domains was considered as a positive screening. The significance level was p < 0.05. Results Among 108 participants included (64.8% women, median age 70 years (65–75)), all had a decline of at least one IC. The prevalence of frailty was 52.8%.The main domains involved were cognition (93.5%), vision (88%) and hearing (87%). Compared to participants without frailty, the frail group was older, achieved lower education, had fewer children, had a more frequent history of falls and a higher number of deficits in IC domains. In the multivariable model, after adjusting for age, sex and comorbidities, the participants with preserved mobility (OR 0.18, 95%CI 0.068–0.49) and vitality (OR 0.11 95%CI 0.04–0.28) were likely to have a lower risk of frailty. Conclusion Frailty and IC impairment were common in this group of older Cameroonians. Further research with the monitoring of trajectories of IC and frailty as a research outcome may allow better comparison to tailor interventions taking into account our local resources. Clinical trial number Not applicable.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-06011-7FrailtyIntrinsic capacityCommunity-dwelling olderGeriatric epidemiologyCameroon
spellingShingle Marie-Josiane Ntsama Essomba
Régine Mylène Mballa Mba
Landry Ekwalla Kameni
Patrick Tchebegna
Florence Denise Mvondo Lema
Maturin Tabue-Teguo
Prevalence of frailty and association with intrinsic capacity decline among community-dwelling older people in Cameroon: a cross sectional study
BMC Geriatrics
Frailty
Intrinsic capacity
Community-dwelling older
Geriatric epidemiology
Cameroon
title Prevalence of frailty and association with intrinsic capacity decline among community-dwelling older people in Cameroon: a cross sectional study
title_full Prevalence of frailty and association with intrinsic capacity decline among community-dwelling older people in Cameroon: a cross sectional study
title_fullStr Prevalence of frailty and association with intrinsic capacity decline among community-dwelling older people in Cameroon: a cross sectional study
title_full_unstemmed Prevalence of frailty and association with intrinsic capacity decline among community-dwelling older people in Cameroon: a cross sectional study
title_short Prevalence of frailty and association with intrinsic capacity decline among community-dwelling older people in Cameroon: a cross sectional study
title_sort prevalence of frailty and association with intrinsic capacity decline among community dwelling older people in cameroon a cross sectional study
topic Frailty
Intrinsic capacity
Community-dwelling older
Geriatric epidemiology
Cameroon
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-06011-7
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