Frailty in Older Adults: Causes and Risk Factors

Frailty is a multisystem decline increasing vulnerability to stressors. Contributing factors:

• Sarcopenia: Loss of muscle mass/strength → reduced mobility, falls.
• Immune senescence: Impaired pathogen response, chronic inflammation (“inflammaging”).
• Cardiovascular stiffening: Reduced compliance, orthostatic intolerance.
• Multimorbidity: Diabetes, CKD, COPD, CVD compound functional reserve.
• Polypharmacy: Adverse drug effects, interactions.
• Nutritional deficits: Protein, vitamin D, B12.
• Psychosocial: Isolation, depression, cognitive impairment.

Frailty is not inevitable. Exercise (resistance + balance), adequate nutrition, medication review, and social engagement can prevent or reverse early frailty (pre-frailty).