Are frailty and patient-reported outcomes independent in subjects with asthma? A cross-sectional observational study

Introduction This study examined the possible associations between frailty and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in elderly patients with asthma. Methods Participants completed the Kihon Checklist for frailty screening as well as the following tools for measuring generic- and disease-specific health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and asthma control; the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item short form (SF-36), the Hyland Scale (global scale), the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ), the Asthma Control Test (ACT), and the Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ). Results Of 69 consecutive outpatients with asthma, 38 (55.1%), 21 (30.4%), and 10 (14.5%) were classified as robust, pre-frail, and frail, respectively. Eight out of 52 patients with asthma in the elderly (AIE) (>65 years old) (15.4%) were considered as being frail. The Kihon Checklist total score was significantly correlated with all the scores obtained from the SF-36, Hyland Scale, AQLQ, ACT, and ACQ. All these scores were significantly different between groups with and without frailty. From the viewpoint of correlation coefficient, SF-36 Physical Functioning correlated most strongly with a coefficient of -0.68 (P < .01), and the Hyland Scale score was second (R-S = -0.46, P < .01). The correlations between the Kihon Checklist total score and lung function parameters were weak or negative (|R-S| < 0.35). Discussion There were significant associations between frailty and PROs, particularly generic perception of HRQOL. Since the Kihon Checklist and PROs such as the HRQOL overlap somewhat in their evaluation of the patients' condition, there might be some similarities in the conceptual frameworks of frailty and quality of life.