Multidimensional frailty increases cardiovascular risk in older people: an 8-year longitudinal cohort study in the Osteoarthritis Initiative

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the most important cause of mortality and an important cause of disability. Frailty seems to be associated with higher cardiovascular risk, but limited research has been done using a multidimensional approach to frailty. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate whether the multidimensional prognostic index (MPI), based on comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA), is associated with CVD risk in the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) study. Methods: Community-dwellers affected by knee OA or at high risk for this condition were followed for 8 years. A standardized CGA including information on functional, nutritional, mood, comorbidities, medications, quality of life and co-habitation status was used to calculate a modified version of the MPI (range 0–1), with higher scores representing greater risk of mortality. CVDs were recorded using self-reported information. Logistic regression analyses, adjusting for potential confounders, were conducted. Results: The final sample consisted of 4211 individuals (mean age 60.8 years, females = 58.6%). People with incident CVD had a significant higher baseline MPI value than those without CVD (0.44 ± 0.17 vs. 0.39 ± 0.17). People with an MPI between 0.34 and 0.66 (OR = 1.31; 95%CI: 1.03–1.67) and over 0.66 (OR = 1.91; 95%CI: 1.26–2.89) experienced a higher risk of CVD (vs. MPI score < 0.34). A 0.10 points increase in the MPI score at baseline was associated with a 1.16 (95%CI: 1.09–1.24) times higher odds for incident CVD. Conclusions and implications: Higher MPI values at baseline were associated with an increased risk of CVD, reinforcing the importance of CGA in predicting CVD risk in older people.