Participation in health and frailty check-ups predicted functional outcomes and mortality in older adults in Japan

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to examine the association between participation in health and frailty check-ups and functional outcomes and mortality, controlling for physical and cognitive function, or self-rated health among Japanese community-dwelling older adults. Methods: A cohort of 5093 participants aged ≥65 years (not disabled or institutionalized), completed the baseline survey in April 2013. Functional outcomes and mortality served as follow-up data from April 2013 to March 2018. However, the data did not include events, such as certified cases for long-term care and death for 12 months from the start of follow-up. We collated data on the use of the annual health check system in 2012 and frailty check-ups using the postal Kihon Checklist in 2013. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to determine the association between participation in the check-ups, and functional outcomes and mortality, adjusting for potential confounders. Results: Long-term care and mortality risks were significantly lower among those aged <75 years who used health screening than among those who did not, despite adjusting for confounding factors (hazard ratios: 2.1–3.5). In those aged ≥75 years, the risk for long-term care was lower in individuals participating in both health and frailty check-ups and in those who participated in the frailty check-ups only, than in those who did not participate. Conclusions: The association between participation in health and frailty check-ups and adverse health outcomes differed among the age groups, indicating the potential benefit of health and frailty check-ups in older adults. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2023; 23: 348–354.