FACTORS AFFECTING FRAILTY SYNDROME IN ELDERLY CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE PATIENTS AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH SYSTEMIC INFLAMMATION

Abstract

Introduction: The aim was to identify the factors affecting the frailty syndromein elderly chronic obstructive lung disease patients and to investigate its relationshipwith systemic inflammation.Materials and Method: 61 stable patients (ages of 65-84) were included.Demographic data, body mass index, comorbidities, annual number of exacerbationswere recorded. Pulmonary function test, six-minute walk test and Tilburg Frailty Testwere performed in all cases. Patients were classified into groups A,B,C&D accordingto GOLD chronic obstructive lung disease guideline by annual exacerbation rateand dyspnea score. Neutrophil lymphocyte ratio, high sensitive C-reactive protein,IL-6, 8OH-dG, IL-18 levels were studied in serum.Results: According to Tilburg test, 63.9% of the patients were evaluated as frail.There was a relationship between body mass index and Tilburg frailty score (p:0.035);body mass index was lower in the frail group. The number of comorbidities washigher in the frail group (p:0.007). There was a positive correlation between frailtyand the number of drugs used. The frailty score was significantly higher in GOLDgroup B&C than in groups A&D (p: 0.006).The neutrophil lymphocyte ratio was significantly higher in the frail group(p:0.007).Conclusion: Frailty is more frequent in chronic obstructive lung disease patients,especially in those with malnutrition and comorbidities and it is associated with asystemic inflammation marker, neutrophil lymphocyte ratio. Routine assessment offrailty in chronic obstructive lung disease outpatients may allow early interventions,including referral to physical and respiratory rehabilitation, geriatric and nutritionalspecialists to improve physical performance and quality of life of these patients.