Frailty, Comorbidity, and Functional Limitation Among Older Adults with Venous Leg Ulcers: A Cross-Sectional Study
Keywords:
activities of daily living, aged, comorbidity, frailty, leg ulcer, venous insufficiencyAbstract
Background: Venous leg ulcers in older adults are frequently accompanied by frailty, multimorbidity, and reduced physical independence, yet evidence on their combined relationship remains limited, particularly in Indonesian clinical settings.
Aim: To examine frailty, comorbidity, and functional limitation among older adults with venous leg ulcers
Approach: This cross-sectional study included 118 older adults with venous leg ulcers assessed between June 23 and August 1, 2022, using consecutive sampling. Eligible participants were aged 60 years or older with clinician-diagnosed venous leg ulcers. Frailty, comorbidity, and functional limitation were measured using validated instruments. Data were analyzed using multivariable linear regression
Results: A total of 118 patients completed the study. Results showed that the mean (SD) age was 69.8 (7.1) years, 71 participants (60.2%) were women, and the mean (SD) Barthel Index score was 72.4 (16.8). Frailty was present in 62 participants (52.5%). In the adjusted model, higher frailty score was associated with lower Barthel Index score (β = -2.85; 95% CI, -3.98 to -1.72; P < .001), as were higher comorbidity burden (β = -1.94; 95% CI, -3.29 to -0.59; P = .005) and greater pain intensity (β = -1.36; 95% CI, -2.28 to -0.44; P = .004)
Conclusions: Functional limitation was common among older adults with venous leg ulcers and was associated with frailty, comorbidity burden, and pain intensity
Implication for Clinical Practice: Routine venous leg ulcer assessment in older adults may benefit from brief screening for frailty, comorbidity, and pain to support risk identification, individualized care planning, and function-oriented wound management.
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