How well do social frailty indices predict incident dementia in older adults?
| Title: | How well do social frailty indices predict incident dementia in older adults? |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Matison AP; Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.; Samtani S; Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.; Brodaty H; Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.; Sachdev PS; Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.; Reppermund S; Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. |
| Source: | The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences [J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci] 2025 Sep 25; Vol. 80 (10). |
| Publication Type: | Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't |
| Language: | English |
| Journal Info: | Publisher: published on behalf of the Gerontological Society of America by Oxford University Press Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 9508483 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1758-5368 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 10795014 NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Publication: Washington, DC : published on behalf of the Gerontological Society of America by Oxford University Press; Original Publication: Washington, DC : Gerontological Society of America, c1995- |
| MeSH Terms: | Dementia*/epidemiology ; Dementia*/diagnosis ; Dementia*/psychology ; Frail Elderly*/psychology ; Frail Elderly*/statistics & numerical data ; Frailty*/psychology ; Frailty*/epidemiology ; Frailty*/diagnosis; Independent Living/psychology ; Geriatric Assessment/methods ; Humans ; Aged ; Male ; Female ; Aged, 80 and over ; Incidence ; Risk Factors ; Neuropsychological Tests |
| Abstract: | Objectives: Few studies have examined the association between social frailty and dementia. We aim to assess if social frailty indices predict dementia and evaluate causality.; Methods: Data from 851 community-dwelling participants aged 70 years and older without dementia from the Sydney Memory and Ageing Study were used. Social frailty was assessed using five published indices that incorporated a range of psychosocial factors. Incident dementia was assessed by consensus diagnosis using biennial neuropsychological tests over a 12-year period.; Results: Based on Cox regression, social frailty was predictive of an increased risk of incident dementia using three different indices. After adjusting for a range of confounders, including physical and psychological frailty, evidence of a causal association was found using one of the indices (socially frail vs nonfrail hazard ratio [HR] 1.47, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05-2.07). Low financial and family satisfaction, infrequent social contacts, and limited participation in social activities and volunteering were associated with an increased risk of dementia, with low financial satisfaction an independent predictor.; Discussion: Well-designed social frailty indices are an effective way to help identify older adults at increased risk of dementia. Replication of these findings in other cohorts is necessary to validate a screening tool for social frailty. Screening for social frailty using brief measures in primary care is a key next step, alongside social prescribing programs for those at risk of social frailty and cognitive decline.; (© The Author(s) 2025. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Gerontological Society of America.) |
| Comments: | Erratum in: J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2026 Apr 7;81(5):gbag075. doi: 10.1093/geronb/gbag075.. (PMID: 42086255) |
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| Grant Information: | 2R01AG057531 United States NH NIH HHS; APP1093083 National Health & Medical Research Council; ID350833 National Health & Medical Research Council; R01 AG057531 United States AG NIA NIH HHS; ID568969 National Health & Medical Research Council |
| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: Cognitive decline; Risk prediction; Social frailty index; Social vulnerability |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20250925 Date Completed: 20250925 Latest Revision: 20260507 |
| Update Code: | 20260507 |
| PubMed Central ID: | PMC12460892 |
| DOI: | 10.1093/geronb/gbaf148 |
| PMID: | 40994044 |
| Database: | MEDLINE |
Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't