Association Between Gastrointestinal-Related Quality of Life and Frailty Using Baseline Data of the Prospective Cohort Study (JUSTICE-TOKYO Study)

<b>Objective:</b> To determine the prevalence of frailty and examine its association with gastrointestinal-related quality of life (QOL) among older outpatients in a geriatric hospital. <b>Methods:</b> This cross-sectional study involved 1042 outpatients (age: ≥65 years) diagnosed using the revised Japanese version of the cardiovascular health study criteria. Data collection was performed by a multidisciplinary team. <b>Results:</b> Of the 1039 eligible subjects (male: <i>n</i> = 460 [44.3%]; mean age: 78.2 ± 6.1 years), 172 (16.6%) had frailty (male: <i>n</i> = 77 [44.8%]; mean age: 80.9 ± 6.2 years). The multivariate analysis revealed that age (odds ratio [OR]: 1.070, <i>p</i> < 0.001), QOL (OR: 0.982, <i>p</i> = 0.009), a history of falls (OR: 1.702, <i>p</i> = 0.029), sarcopenia (OR: 4.708, <i>p</i> < 0.001), steroid use (OR: 3.741, <i>p</i> = 0.001), analgesic drug use (OR: 2.056, <i>p</i> = 0.014), Mini Mental State Examination (OR: 0.915, <i>p</i> = 0.011), Geriatric Depression Scale 15 (OR: 1.101, <i>p</i> = 0.008), fullness-related QOL score (OR: 1.119, <i>p</i> = 0.010), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease assessment test (OR: 1.048, <i>p</i> = 0.007), and 10-item Eating Assessment Tool (OR: 1.071, <i>p</i> = 0.009) were related to frailty. <b>Conclusions:</b> The prevalence rate of frailty in older outpatients at a university hospital specializing in geriatric medicine was higher than that previously reported in community-dwelling individuals. Our study clarified that the fullness-related QOL score was related to frailty.