Frailty index trajectories in Chinese older adults with diverse levels of social participation: findings from a national population-based longitudinal study

Background Aging and frailty pose significant challenges globally, placing a substantial burden on healthcare and social services due to their adverse consequences. Aim The primary objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between social participation and development of frailty transition and trajectory. Methods This study utilized data from the CLHLS Cohort, a 10-year follow-up study involving 6713 participants, to investigate the association between social participation and development of frailty. Frailty reflects a comprehensive decline in various body functions. The study employed a group-based trajectory model to analyze the development trajectory of the frailty index and used logistic regression to assess the odds ratio (OR) of frailty risk. Results We identified two distinct groups of frailty progression trajectories: the “stable development group” and the “rapid growth group.” Individuals who engaged in social activities at least once a month, but not daily, exhibited a significant association with an increased risk of transitioning into the “rapid growth group” (OR 1.305, 95% CI 1.032–1.649). Those with social participation less than once a month had an even greater risk (OR 1.872, 95% CI 1.423–2.463). Moreover, low social participation frequency (occasionally/never) has a more pronounced impact on frailty progression in males. Conclusion A higher frequency of social participation is associated with a lower risk of being classified into the “rapid growth group” and a slower rate of frailty index progression. Preventing the progression of frailty can contribute to enhanced support for healthy aging among older adults.