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Socioeconomic Inequalities in Frailty in Hong Kong, China: A 14-Year Longitudinal Cohort Study

Author

Listed:
  • Ruby Yu

    (Department of Medicine and Therapeutics/Jockey Club Institute of Ageing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong)

  • Cecilia Tong

    (Jockey Club Institute of Ageing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong)

  • Jason Leung

    (Jockey Club Centre for Osteoporosis Care and Control, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong)

  • Jean Woo

    (Department of Medicine and Therapeutics/Jockey Club Institute of Ageing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong)

Abstract

The prevalence of frailty varies among socioeconomic groups. However, longitudinal data for the association between subjective social status and frailty is limited. In this study, we examined whether subjective social status was associated with incident frailty. Data were obtained from a 14-year cohort of Chinese men and women (n = 694) aged 65 years and older who participated in the MrOs study—a longitudinal study on osteoporosis and general health in Hong Kong. Subjective social status at baseline (2001–2003) was assessed using a 10-rung self-anchoring scale. Incident frailty at the 14-year follow-up (2015–2017) was defined as proposed by Fried and colleagues. Ordinal logistic regressions were used to examine the association between subjective social status (high, middle, or low) and incident frailty. After adjustment for age, sex, marital status, objective socioeconomic status, medical history, lifestyle, mental health, and cognitive function, subjective social status at baseline was negatively associated with risk of developing frailty over time (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.2–4.6). In sex-stratified analysis, the social gradient in frailty was only found in men. Social inequality in frailty in men but not in women supports interventions specific to gender inequality and frailty.

Suggested Citation

  • Ruby Yu & Cecilia Tong & Jason Leung & Jean Woo, 2020. "Socioeconomic Inequalities in Frailty in Hong Kong, China: A 14-Year Longitudinal Cohort Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-16, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:4:p:1301-:d:322044
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jean Woo & Ruth Chan & Jason Leung & Moses Wong, 2010. "Relative Contributions of Geographic, Socioeconomic, and Lifestyle Factors to Quality of Life, Frailty, and Mortality in Elderly," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 5(1), pages 1-11, January.
    2. Matthews, Sharon & Manor, Orly & Power, Chris, 1999. "Social inequalities in health: are there gender differences?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 48(1), pages 49-60, January.
    3. Demakakos, Panayotes & Nazroo, James & Breeze, Elizabeth & Marmot, Michael, 2008. "Socioeconomic status and health: The role of subjective social status," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 67(2), pages 330-340, July.
    4. Dunn, James R. & Veenstra, Gerry & Ross, Nancy, 2006. "Psychosocial and neo-material dimensions of SES and health revisited: Predictors of self-rated health in a Canadian national survey," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 62(6), pages 1465-1473, March.
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