Factors Associated with Frailty Risk Based on Admission Information Using Diagnosis Procedure Combination Data: A Single-Center Retrospective Study

Frailty is a geriatric syndrome associated with adverse outcomes, particularly in super-aged societies. Hospitalization-related inactivity may contribute to frailty progression and worsen prognosis and post-discharge quality of life; however, frailty identification at admission is challenging. This study used diagnosis procedure combination (DPC) data to examine associations between patient and medication factors at admission and hospitalization-induced frailty. The cohort comprised patients aged ≥65 years hospitalized at Shonantobu General Hospital with records of oral medication prescribed or brought in at admission. Four PRISMA-7 frailty risk index items were evaluated. Patients meeting at least three criteria were defined as the frailty risk group. Bivariate and multivariate analyses assessed the influence of patient background and medication categories on frailty risk. The frailty risk group included 888/1948 cases. Risk and nonrisk groups differed significantly in sex, age, and body mass index (BMI). Logistic regression analysis showed that low BMI, antithrombotics, mineral supplements, and antiparkinsonian drugs were associated with frailty risk, although the findings for male sex and advanced age should be interpreted cautiously because these variables were included as components of the modified frailty-risk definition. Patient background and medication information from DPC data at admission may contribute to future frailty risk estimation. Future prospective studies using detailed clinical data and machine learning models are needed to clarify the relationship between medication use and frailty.