Article
Direct and Indirect Effects of COVID-19 in Frail Elderly: Interventions and Recommendations
Registro en:
2075-4426
Autor
Pizano Escalante, María Guadalupe
Anaya Esparza, Luis Miguel
Nuño, Karla
Rodríguez Romero, José de Jesús
González Torres, Yesica Sughey
López de la Mora, David A.
Villagrán de la Mora, Blanca Zuamí
Institución
Resumen
Artículo Abstract
Frailty is a state of vulnerability to stressors because of a decreased physiological reserve, resulting in poor health outcomes. This state is related to chronic conditions, many of which are risk factors for outcomes in elderly patients having SARS-COV-2. This review aims to describe frailty as a physiological vulnerability agent during the COVID-19 pandemic in elderly patients, summarizing the direct and indirect effects caused by the SARS-COV-2 infection and its prognosis in frail individuals, as well as the interventions and recommendations to reduce their effects. Cohort studies have shown that patients with a Clinical Frailty Scale higher than five have a higher risk of mortality and use of mechanical ventilation after COVID-19; nonetheless, other scales have also associated frailty with longer hospital stays and more severe forms of the disease. Additionally, the indirect effects caused by the pandemic have a negative impact on the health status of older people. Due to the above, a holistic intervention is proposed based on a comprehensive geriatric assessment for frail patients (preventive or post-infection) with emphasis on physical activity and nutritional recommendations, which could be a potential preventive intervention in viral infections by COVID-19.