The relationship between drinking tea and frailty in the community elderly / 中国实用护理杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective@#To explore the relationship between drinking tea and frailty among the elderly in the community.@*Methods@#A self-designed questionnaire was used to investigate the basic data of the elderly and their status of drinking tea. Tilburg Frailty Index scale was used to evaluate the frailty of the elderly. The physical levels of the elderly were assessed by grip strength, 4 m walking time and time up & go. The factors affecting frailty of the elderly and the relationship between status of drinking tea and frailty were analyzed.@*Results@#The incidence of frailty in the community with and without habits of drinking tea was 55.6%(69/124) and 79.3%(96/121).There was significantly difference between them (χ2=15.634, P<0.01). The total scores, body function and mental dimensions of frailty of the former were 4.53±2.51, 2.46±1.86 and 1.11±0.97 and that of the later were 5.52±2.54, 3.20±1.78 and 1.36±0.97. There was significantly difference between them (t=3.064, 3.178, 2.015, P<0.05). The grip strength of the former and the latter was (29.06±9.02) kg and (23.96±7.48) kg and there was significantly difference between them (t=-4.824, P<0.01). The Logistic regression analysis showed that the number of complications, the habit of exercise and the habit of drinking tea were the factors influencing frailty.@*Conclusions@#Drinking tea may decrease the incidence of frailty and improve fitness level in the elderly. However, investigative research involving larger number of subjects and intervention studies are needed to explore further the relationship between drinking tea and frailty in the future.