Table 3.
Frailty, cognitive function, and functional status in older women choosing surgery and non-surgical treatments for pelvic floor dysfunction
| Surgery N= 69 |
Non-surgical treatments N = 81 |
P | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frailty Components | |||
| Unintentional weight loss | 10 (14.5) | 11 (13.6) | .87 |
| Exhaustion (self-report) | 12 (17.4) | 14 (17.3) | .98 |
| Low activity (PASE score) | 10 (14.5) | 21 (25.9) | .08 |
| Slow walking speed | 11 (15.9) | 15 (18.5) | .68 |
| Decreased grip strength | 21 (30.4) | 39 (48.2) | .03 |
| Hopkins Frailty Index Score | .35 | ||
| Frail (≥ 3 components) | 10 (14.5) | 15 (18.5) | |
| Prefrail (1–2 components) | 26 (37.7) | 37 (45.7) | |
| Normal (0 components) | 33 (47.8) | 29 (35.8) | |
| Cognitive Function | |||
| SLUMS Score (mean, ±SD) | 24.4 (±3.8) | 23.5 (±4.8) | .19 |
| Screen positive for dementia | 11 (15.9) | 21 (25.9) | .30 |
| Medical Comorbidities | |||
| Charlson Comorbidity index (≥3) | 9 (13.0) | 16 (19.8) | .38 |
| Depressive Symptoms | |||
| GDS-Short (mean, ±SD) | 5.3(±1.1) | 5.7 (±1.5) | .11 |
| Composite Functional Disability (for 7 ADLs) | .03 | ||
| Independent for all 7 ADLs | 55 (79.7) | 49 (60.5) | |
| Functional difficulty with ≥ 1 ADL | 12 (17.4) | 24 (29.6) | |
| Functional dependence for ≥ 1 ADL | 2 (2.9) | 8 (9.9) | |
All values listed as n(%) unless otherwise noted
Unintentional weight loss ≥10lbs in last year
Exhaustion was defined as self-report of exhaustion using two validated questions
Low activity defined as the lowest quintile of weekly physical activity (kcal/week) utilizing the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE)
Slowness defined as a slow walking speed over 10 feet adjusted for height
Decreased grip strength defined as grip strength measured by hand dyanometer (Kg) adjusted by BMI
SLUMS = Saint Louis Mental Status Examination. Scores ranged from 0 to 30. Scores ≤19 in women who have not completed high school and ≤20 in women who completed high school are consider a positive screen for dementia.