Hepatic and gastrointestinal pathology in relation to frailty syndrome in elderly patients: a cross-sectional study

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.52556/2587-3873.2025.1(103).07

Keywords:

hepatic and gastrointestinal pathology, frailtysyndrome, elderly

Abstract

The aging process involves a multitude of physiological agerelated changes and the development of geriatric syndromes, including frailty syndrome (FS) - a complex geriatric syndrome characterized by increased vulnerability, commonly found in people over 65 years of age. Research on the various causes of FS demonstrates the multitude of factors involved in the evolution of frailty in the elderly, including liver and gastrointestinal pathology for this population group. A descriptive cross-sectional study included 613 patients admitted to Geriatric wards no. 1 and no. 2 of the Clinical Hospital for Recovery and Chronic Care in Chisinau, during the period 2020–2023. All patients were examined consecutively as they were admitted to the geriatric wards, with the patient’s consent to participate in the study, they were examined through a complex geriatric assessment (CGA), which includes clinical, laboratory examination and standardized geriatric assessment (scores). FS was established based on the Fried frailty screening criteria, the respondents were classified into robust, pre-frail and frail. The frail elderly group presented a higher share of hepatic and gastrointestinal pathology - 46.97%, followed by the pre-frail and robust elderly group, and comorbidity presents a particularity of the geriatric population. The most frequent hepato-gastric pathologies attested in the study group were chronic pancreatitis, followed by chronic gastritis and chronic hepatitis, representing a risk factor for the evolution of FS in the elderly.

References

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Published

2026-01-10

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How to Cite

[1]
Popescu, A. et al. 2026. Hepatic and gastrointestinal pathology in relation to frailty syndrome in elderly patients: a cross-sectional study. Public Health Economy and Management in Medicine. 1(103) (Jan. 2026), 53–58. DOI:https://doi.org/10.52556/2587-3873.2025.1(103).07.

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