Association between depressed frail phenotype and fall prevalence in older adults residing in a high-altitude Peruvian Andean community: Results from the Aunqui-Andes study

We estimated the association between the depressed frail phenotype and fall prevalence in older adults in the Totos district, Cangallo, Ayacucho, Peru during 2022. A secondary analysis was conducted using data from a cross-sectional study involving older adults aged 60 and over. Frailty was defined by three or more Fried phenotype criteria, depressive symptoms by two or more points on the Geriatric Depression Scale, and the depressed frail phenotype by the presence of both conditions. Falls were assessed with the SARC-F questionnaire. Sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidities, harmful habits, functional status, and social support were included. Among 272 participants (mean age 75±8.6 years), 14.3% had the depressed frail phenotype, and 48.2% had experienced falls in the past year. Adjusted Poisson regression showed a 41% higher fall prevalence among those with the depressed frail phenotype (aPR=1.41; 95% CI: 1.08–1.85). This phenotype was associated with a higher fall prevalence in older adults at high altitude.