Frailty Syndrome and Nutrition in the Elderly

Year 2025, Volume: 11 Issue: 1, 149 - 156

Ceren Nida Görey , Sevde Kahraman , Fatma Çelik

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Aging is the name given to a wide range of biological, physiological and psychological changes that an individual undergoes over the years. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines aging as individuals aged 65 and older and characterizes it as a continuous loss of vital functions, with a noticeable decrease in overall efficiency of the organism and its ability to adapt to environmental factors. It is well known that the elderly population is increasing worldwide over time. Due to this increase in the elderly population, the importance of geriatric syndromes is also increasing. Frailty syndrome is a multidimensional concept that affects many physiological systems of the individual throughout life and can be defined by effects such as weight loss, slowing of walking speed, limitation of physical activities, inability to resist, and vulnerability. The most common geriatric syndromes are malnutrition, sarcopenia and frailty. In Turkey, 44.5% of women and 29% of men were found to be frail. Studies have shown that frailty increases with age and is often observed in people with low levels of education and chronic diseases. It is known that early diagnosis of frailty increases the chance of treatment, prevents fractures, reduces the duration of illness and improves quality of life. There are many assessment criteria and scales available for diagnosing frailty syndrome. After diagnosis, a treatment plan should be organized, including nutritional support, exercise plan, and social support specific to the patient's medical condition. Studies have shown that adequate protein intake, a diet rich in antioxidants, and nutritional supplements such as vitamin B12, vitamin D, and omega-3 have a positive effect on the course of the disease. The aim of this traditional review is to review the current knowledge on the definition of frailty syndrome, assessment tests and its relationship with nutrition.

Keywords

Nutrition, Geriatric syndrome, Fraility syndrome, lderly

Project Number

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Yaşlılarda Kırılganlık Sendromu ve Beslenme

Abstract

ÖZ
Yaşlanma, bireyin seneler içerisinde geçirdiği çok çeşitli biyolojik, fizyolojik ve psikolojik değişimlerin tümüne verilen isimdir. Dünya Sağlık Örgütü (DSÖ) yaşlılık kavramını 65 yaş ve üstü bireyler olarak belirlemiştir ve yaşlılığı; yaşamsal fonksiyonların sürekli kaybı, organizmanın tüm verimliliğinde ve çevresel faktörlere uyum sağlamada fark edilir seviyede azalma olarak tanımlamıştır. Yaşlı popülasyonunun küresel olarak zaman içerisinde arttığı bilinmektedir. Yaşlı popülasyonundaki bu artış sebebiyle geriatrik sendromların önemi de artmaktadır. En yaygın görülen geriatrik sendromların başında malnütrisyon, sarkopeni ve kırılganlık gelmektedir. Kırılganlık sendromu, yaşam süresince bireyin birçok fizyolojik sistemi üzerinde etkisi olan, ağırlık kaybı, yürüme hızında yavaşlama, fiziksel aktivitelerde kısıtlanma, direnç gösterememe ve savunmasızlık hali gibi etkiler ile tanımlanabilen çok boyutlu bir kavramdır. Türkiye’de kadınların %44,5’inin ve erkeklerin %29’unun kırılgan olduğu belirlenmiştir. Çalışmalar sonucunda kırılganlığın yaşla birlikte arttığı, eğitim düzeyinin düşük ve kronik hastalığı olan bireylerde sık gözlemlendiği kanıtlanmıştır. Kırılganlığın erken dönemde teşhis edilmesi ile tedavi şansının arttığı, kırık oluşumunun önlendiği, hastalık süresinin azaldığı, yaşam kalitesinin yükseldiği bilinmektedir. Kırılganlık sendromu tanısının konulması için birçok değerlendirme kriteri ve ölçekler bulunmaktadır. Tanı sonrasında hastanın tıbbi durumuna özgü beslenme desteği, egzersiz planı ve sosyolojik desteklerle birlikte tedavi planı düzenlenmelidir. Yapılan çalışmalar sonucunda; yeterli protein alımının, antioksidan kaynaklardan zengin beslenmenin, B12, D vitamini ve omega-3 gibi besin ögesi desteklerinin hastalık seyri üzerinde olumlu etki gösterdiği belirlenmiştir. Bu geleneksel derlemenin amacı, kırılganlık sendromunu tanımlamak, değerlendirme testleri ile ilgili güncel bilgileri incelemek ve beslenme ile ilişkisini ortaya koymaktır.

Keywords

Beslenme, Geriatrik Sendrom, Kırılganlık Sendromu, Yaşlı

Ethical Statement

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Supporting Institution

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Project Number

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Thanks

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