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Frailty is a syndrome characterized by reduced physiological reserves, increased vulnerability to stressors and adverse health outcomes. Frailty can change the prognosis and treatment approach of several chronic diseases, including heart failure (HF). The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis assessing the association of HF with frailty and pre-frailty. We employed PRISMA guidelines for reporting the results. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase from 01/01/2002 to 29/11/2019.The quality of the studies was evaluated with the Newcastle Ottawa Scale. Pooled estimates were obtained through random-effect models and Mantel-Haenszel weighting. Homogeneity (I2) and publication bias were assessed. We selected 54 studies (52 cross-sectional, one longitudinal, and one with both designs). The pooled prevalence of pre-frailty in individuals with HF was 46% (95% CI = 38–53; I2 = 93.1%) and 40% (95% CI = 31–48; I2 = 97%) for frailty. The proportion of pre-frail individuals with HF was 20% (95%CI = 15–25; I2 = 99.2%) and the proportion of frail individuals with HF was 31% (95% CI = 17–45; I2 = 98.7%). Two studies using the same frailty definition reported estimates for the association between frailty and HF (pooled OR = 3.44; 95% CI = 0.75–15.73; I2 = 95.8%). In conclusion, frailty and pre-frailty are frequent in people with HF. Persons with HF have 3.4-fold increased odds of frailty. Longitudinal studies examining bidirectional pathophysiological pathways between HF and frailty are needed to further clarify this relationship and to assess if specific treatment for HF may prevent or delay the onset of frailty and vice versa. • Frailty and pre-frailty are common among individuals affected by heart failure. • Frailty may help risk stratification in patients with heart failure. • Studies investigating their longitudinal association are lacking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Frailty and multimorbidity are both strongly associated with poor health-related outcomes, including mortality. Being multimorbidity one of the major determinants of frailty, we aimed to explore whether, and to what extent, frailty without multimorbidity plays an independent role in shortening life. Methods We used data from the Swedish National Study on Aging and Care in Kungsholmen (SNAC-K). Among the 3363 adults aged 60+ enrolled at baseline, those without multimorbidity (i.e.: less than two chronic diseases) (N = 1115) have been characterized according to Fried's frailty phenotype (i.e. robust, prefrail, and frail). The association between frailty and mortality was estimated using piecewise proportional hazard regression models in three five-year time periods. Results Among participants without multimorbidity, 424 (38%) were prefrail and 19 (2%) were frail. During the 15-year follow-up, 263 (24%) participants died: 19%, 29%, and 63% of those who were robust, prefrail, and frail at baseline, respectively. Within the first 5 years of follow-up, prefrail and frail participants had more than doubled mortality risk in comparison to robust ones (HR for pre-frailty 2.08, 95% CI 1.15–3.76; HR for frailty 2.69, 95% CI 1.22–5.97). Beyond 5 years, a trend of increased mortality rate was still detectable for prefrail and frail subjects in comparison to robust ones. Conclusions Physical frailty and pre-frailty are associated with short-term mortality in a cohort of older adults free from multimorbidity. Frailty could be a clinical indicator of increased risk of negative health outcomes even among subjects without multiple chronic conditions. Highlights • Forty percent of subjects without multimorbidity are frail or prefrail. • Frailty and pre-frailty increase mortality risk even in absence of multimorbidity. • Screening for frailty in individuals without multimorbidity might be beneficial. • Future research should focus on causes of frailty other than chronic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]