Frailty and Its Associated Factors in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: A Cross-Sectional Study

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of frailty and its predictors among Taiwanese patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). A cross-sectional study was conducted, enrolling 188 AF patients aged over 20 years from a medical center in northern Taiwan. Participants were recruited from September 1 to December 30, 2022. Structured questionnaires were used to gather data on demographics, disease characteristics, Study of Osteoporotic Fractures Index, Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire, Mini Nutritional Assessment Short-Form, Chinese Version Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Among Taiwanese AF patients, over two-thirds were at risk of frailty, with susceptibility increasing with age. Key potential predictors included sex, cognitive function, nutritional status, sleep quality, and depression, jointly explaining 47.6% of the variation, with nutritional status being the most significant. These findings underscore the importance of comprehensive assessment and management strategies to address frailty in AF patients and improve overall health outcomes.