The Prevalence of Frailty and Associated Factors, Including Food Security in Community Dwelling Older Adults with Multimorbidity: A Cross-Sectional Analysis from the Longitudinal Aging Study in India

Background

The global increase in multimorbidity among older adults is a result of ongoing epidemiological and demographic transitions. This study focuses on the prevalence and determinants of frailty in this demographic in India, accounting for the potential mediating role of food insecurity.

Objectives

To determine the prevalence and determinants of frailty among older Indian adults with multimorbidity, and to ascertain the mediating effect of food insecurity on frailty.

Design

Cross-sectional analysis of cohort study data.

Setting

Analysis of data from the Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI) Wave 1 (2017–2018).

Participants

31,902 individuals aged 60 and above of whom 7900 were categorized as having multimorbidity

Measurements

Frailty was assessed using a modified Fried scale. Details on sociodemographic factors, lifestyle choices, and health-related variables were collected through face-to-face participant interviews. Multimorbidity was defined as the presence of two or more chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, cancer, chronic lung disease, chronic heart disease, stroke, bone disease, neurological or psychiatric problems, and high cholesterol. Statistical analysis was conducted using Stata 15.1.

Results

The weighted prevalence of frailty in individuals with multimorbidity was 30.31% (95% CI: 28.17, 32.54), significantly higher than those without multimorbidity (23.81%, 95% CI: 22.90, 24.74) (P<0.001). Frailty prevalence was higher in women (33.27%) than in men (26.56%) among those with multimorbidity. In the group with multimorbidity, age ≥75 (years), middle MPCE quintile, lower educational attainment, unemployment, and low body mass index was associated with higher odds of frailty. Mediation analysis showed that 3.47% of the association between multimorbidity and frailty was mediated by food insecurity.

Conclusion

Frailty is prevalent among older adults with multimorbidity in India, with significant disparities based on gender, age, socioeconomic status, and body mass index. Food insecurity partially mediates the relationship between multimorbidity and frailty, highlighting the need for targeted interventions addressing both health and nutritional insecurities in this population.