Study protocol : longitudinal observational study on frailty and mental health

Mikolič, Petra (avtor), Bregar, Branko (avtor), Vatovec, Katarina (avtor), Bertole, Tjaša (avtor), Oreški, Suzana (avtor), Ferlan Istinič, Marjeta (avtor), Berlot, Lina (avtor), Vinko, Matej (avtor)

Introduction: Frailty is a dynamic condition associated with increased vulnerability to adverse health outcomes in older adults. While previous research has primarily focused on deficit-based mental health factors, such as depression and loneliness, less is known about the role of positive mental health determinants, including wellbeing, resilience and social connectedness, in the development and progression of frailty. Understanding both risk and protective factors is essential for informing public health strategies aimed at promoting healthy aging. This study aims to examine the longitudinal relationship between mental health and frailty in a nationally sampled population of adults aged 50 years and older in Slovenia. Methods and analysis: This longitudinal observational cohort study will collect data at four time points over a 2-year period (January 2026-March 2028). A stratified random sample of community-dwelling adults aged 50–84 years will be drawn from the national population registry, with 5,000 individuals invited to participate in the first wave. Frailty, mental health and a set of social, psychological, and health-related factors will be assessed. Data will be analyzed using a combination of descriptive, inferential and longitudinal statistical methods to examine associations between frailty and mental health over time. Potential explanatory factors will also be explored within the longitudinal framework, and additional analyses will assess the impact of attrition.

• Jezik: Angleški jezik
• Ključne besede: frailty, adverse health outcomes, older adults, healthy aging
• Vrsta gradiva: Članek v reviji
• Tipologija: 1.01 - Izvirni znanstveni članek
• Organizacija: MF - Medicinska fakulteta
• Status publikacije: Objavljeno
• Različica publikacije: Objavljena publikacija
• Leto izida: 2026
• Št. strani: 6 str.
• Številčenje: Vol. 14, art. 1861495
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-185467
• UDK: 614
• ISSN pri članku: 2296-2565
• DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1861495
• COBISS.SI-ID: 284664323
• Datum objave v RUL: 06.08.2026

Gradivo je del revije

• Naslov: Frontiers in public health
• Skrajšan naslov: Front. public health
• Založnik: Frontiers Media
• ISSN: 2296-2565
• COBISS.SI-ID: 523096857

Licence

• Licenca: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Priznanje avtorstva 4.0 Mednarodna
• Povezava: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.sl
• Opis: To je standardna licenca Creative Commons, ki daje uporabnikom največ možnosti za nadaljnjo uporabo dela, pri čemer morajo navesti avtorja.

Sekundarni jezik

• Jezik: Slovenski jezik
• Ključne besede: krhkost, starejši, zdravo staranje, neugodni zdravstveni izidi

Projekti

• Financer: EC - European Commission
• Številka projekta: C2711-25-064202
• Naslov: Systemic Approach to Frailty with an Emphasis on Prefrailty for Healthy and Quality Aging