Use of the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) for the Detection of Frailty in Older Adults at the Primary Care

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of frailty in older adults using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). Methods: Retrospective, cross-sectional study, analyzing records obtained from the SPPB applied to adults over 60 years of age, residing in a municipality of Boyacá, Colombia who attended primary care centers, community meeting points, nursing homes, or who were treated during home visits. Results: 183 records were evaluated. Average age: 69.6 years (SD 7). Most were women, from rural areas and with low educational levels. 33.3% of the participants were classified as frail; 42.1% as pre-frail and 24.6% as non-frail. Conclusions: The prevalence of frailty and pre-frailty found in the population studied was high, so it is necessary to train health professionals in early detection and the creation and implementation of multidimensional intervention programs that reduce its negative impact on this population. The SPPB is an easy-to-apply test in different settings, including primary care, which can be used to identify frail and pre-frail older adults.