한국 남녀 노인의 노쇠에 영향을 미치는 요인

Abstract

Purpose : This study is to identify the factors influencing frailty among the elderly population in South Korea by gender. Methods : This study conducted a secondary analysis using data from the 8th National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to investigate factors affecting frailty in the Korean elderly. A total of 1,467 elderly people aged 65 years and older were included in the study. Frailty was assessed by five items: weight loss, decreased vitality, decreased muscle strength, slow walking speed, and low physical activity. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze factors affecting frailty by gender. Result : The prevalence of frailty was 10.9% for male elderly and 13.7% for female elderly. In the logistic regression analysis, age, level of education, perceived health status, and pain were significant factors in both male and female elderly. The only significant factors for male elderly were level of education, employment status, chronic diseases, while the only significant factor for female elderly was habitual exercise behavior and anxiety. Conclusion : Gender-specific interventions to prevent frailty are needed to extend the healthy life span of older adults.