This study investigated the relationship between frailty as assessed using the Kihon checklist (KCL) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) status. In total, 626 consecutive patients with RA were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. We examined the patients' KCL scores, characteristics, and clinical data. The patients were grouped according to their KCL scores as follows: robust (scores of 0-3), pre-frailty (scores of 4-7), and frailty (scores ≥8). Frailty, pre-frailty, and robust groups accounted for 36.9%, 30.5%, and 32.6% of the patients, respectively. Significant factors comparing frailty and robust groups were age (P < 0.001), Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI) (P < 0.001), and habitual exercise (P = 0.004). Significant factors comparing the pre-frailty and robust groups were age (P < 0.001) and HAQ-DI (P = 0.041). In patients with RA, HAQ-DI and exercise should be managed to prevent frailty and avoid the need for long-term care. Our results will help identify those patients who can most benefit from aggressive management of RA.
Mochizuki et al. (Wed,) studied this question.