Relationship between locomotive syndrome and frailty in rheumatoid arthritis patients by locomotive syndrome stage

Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the association between locomotive syndrome (LS) and frailty in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Methods Subjects were 538 RA patients (female, 72.9%; mean age +/- standard deviation, 66.8 +/- 13.4 years). LS and frailty were defined as >= 16 points on the 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale (Stage >= 2) and >= 8 points on the Kihon Checklist (KCL), respectively. Results There were 214 subjects with Stage >= 2 LS (39.8%) and 213 subjects with frailty (39.6%). Among subjects with Stage 0, 1, 2, and 3 LS, 11.0%, 21.9%, 48.3%, and 84.6% had frailty, respectively. The KCL points for cognitive and psychosocial factors had no significant differences across LS stages. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that the Health Assessment Questionnaire was independently associated with frailty and LS stage, and the Clinical Disease Activity Index was associated with LS stage but not frailty. Conclusions As LS worsens in RA patients, the likelihood of developing physical frailty increases. RA patients with a low LS stage can still develop frailty, and suppressing disease activity may not be sufficient to prevent frailty. These findings highlight the need to screen for frailty in RA patients and consider appropriate interventions based on each patient's condition, focusing on nonphysical factors.