Fragilità e multimorbidità: una revisione sistematica e una meta-analisi

D.L. Vetrano, K. Palmer, A. Marengoni, E. Marzetti, F. Lattanzio, R. Roller-Wirnsberger, L. Lopez Samaniego, L. Rodríguez-Mañas, R. Bernabei, G. Onder; Joint Action ADVANTAGE WP4 group

J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2018 May 3. doi: 10.1093/gerona/gly110. [Epub ahead of print]

Multimorbidity and frailty are complex syndromes characteristics of ageing. We reviewed the literature, and provided pooled estimations of any evidence regarding a) the coexistence of frailty and multimorbidity, and b) their association. We searched PubMed and Web of Science for relevant articles up to September 2017. Pooled estimates were obtained through random effect models and Mantel-Haenszel weighting. Homogeneity (I2), risk of bias and publication bias were assessed. PROSPERO registration: 57890.

A total of 48 studies involving 78122 participants were selected, and 25 were included in one or more meta-analyses. Forty-five studies were cross-sectional and 3 longitudinal, with the majority of them including community-dwelling participants (n=35). Forty-three studies presented a moderate risk of bias, and 5 a low risk. Most of the articles defined multimorbidity as having two or more diseases and frailty according to the Cardiovascular Health Study criteria. In meta-analyses, the prevalence of multimorbidity in frail individual was 72% (95% Confidence Interval [95% CI] 63% to 81%; I2=91.3%) and the prevalence of frailty among multimorbid individuals was 16% (95% CI 12% to 21%; I2=96.5%). Multimorbidity was associated with frailty in pooled analyses (OR 2.27; 95% CI 1.97 to 2.62; I2 47.7%). The three longitudinal studies suggest a bidirectional association between multimorbidity and frailty.

 

Comment: Exercise interventions significantly improved strength, balance and muscle mass. However, the number of trials was small and the training effect was inconsistent due to heterogeneity in exercise mode, duration and intensity. Lack of detailed description makes it impossible to reflect on the progressive resistance training approaches used. More research is needed to confirm these findings.