Relationship between Perceived Indoor Temperature and Self-Reported Risk for Frailty among Community-Dwelling Older People

This study investigated the relationship between perceived indoor temperature in winter and frailty among community-dwelling older people. This cross-sectional study included 342 people 65 years and older in Japan. Participants answered questions about demographics, frailty, housing, and perceived i...

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Main Authors: Yukie Nakajima, Steven M. Schmidt, Agneta Malmgren Fänge, Mari Ono, Toshiharu Ikaga
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2019-02-01
Series:International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/16/4/613
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spelling doaj-8a97d74031ce43c5884a359c22b385172020-11-24T20:51:29ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health1660-46012019-02-0116461310.3390/ijerph16040613ijerph16040613Relationship between Perceived Indoor Temperature and Self-Reported Risk for Frailty among Community-Dwelling Older PeopleYukie Nakajima0Steven M. Schmidt1Agneta Malmgren Fänge2Mari Ono3Toshiharu Ikaga4School of Science for Open and Environmental Systems, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Keio University, Hiyoshi 3 14 1, Kohoku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 2238522, JapanSchool of Science for Open and Environmental Systems, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Keio University, Hiyoshi 3 14 1, Kohoku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 2238522, JapanDepartment of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Box 157, 22100 Lund, SwedenSchool of Science for Open and Environmental Systems, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Keio University, Hiyoshi 3 14 1, Kohoku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 2238522, JapanDepartment of System Design Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, Hiyoshi 3 14 1, Kohoku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 2238522, JapanThis study investigated the relationship between perceived indoor temperature in winter and frailty among community-dwelling older people. This cross-sectional study included 342 people 65 years and older in Japan. Participants answered questions about demographics, frailty, housing, and perceived indoor temperature in winter. Participants were grouped based on perceived indoor temperature (Cold or Warm) and economic satisfaction (Unsatisfied or Satisfied). Differences in the frailty index between perceived indoor temperature groups and economic satisfaction groups were tested by using ANCOVA and MANCOVA. An interaction effect showed that people in the Cold Group and unsatisfied with their economic status had significantly higher frailty index scores (<i>F</i>(1, 336) = 5.95, <i>p</i> = 0.015). Furthermore, the frailty index subscale of fall risk was the specific indicator of frailty that accounted for this significant relationship. While previous research has shown the risks related to cold indoor temperature in homes, interestingly among those who reported cold homes, only those who were not satisfied with their economic situation reported being at increased risk for frailty. This highlights the potential importance of preventing fuel poverty to prevent frailty.https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/16/4/613homeold agewinter seasoneconomic satisfactionfall risk
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Yukie Nakajima
Steven M. Schmidt
Agneta Malmgren Fänge
Mari Ono
Toshiharu Ikaga
spellingShingle Yukie Nakajima
Steven M. Schmidt
Agneta Malmgren Fänge
Mari Ono
Toshiharu Ikaga
Relationship between Perceived Indoor Temperature and Self-Reported Risk for Frailty among Community-Dwelling Older People
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
home
old age
winter season
economic satisfaction
fall risk
author_facet Yukie Nakajima
Steven M. Schmidt
Agneta Malmgren Fänge
Mari Ono
Toshiharu Ikaga
author_sort Yukie Nakajima
title Relationship between Perceived Indoor Temperature and Self-Reported Risk for Frailty among Community-Dwelling Older People
title_short Relationship between Perceived Indoor Temperature and Self-Reported Risk for Frailty among Community-Dwelling Older People
title_full Relationship between Perceived Indoor Temperature and Self-Reported Risk for Frailty among Community-Dwelling Older People
title_fullStr Relationship between Perceived Indoor Temperature and Self-Reported Risk for Frailty among Community-Dwelling Older People
title_full_unstemmed Relationship between Perceived Indoor Temperature and Self-Reported Risk for Frailty among Community-Dwelling Older People
title_sort relationship between perceived indoor temperature and self-reported risk for frailty among community-dwelling older people
publisher MDPI AG
series International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
issn 1660-4601
publishDate 2019-02-01
description This study investigated the relationship between perceived indoor temperature in winter and frailty among community-dwelling older people. This cross-sectional study included 342 people 65 years and older in Japan. Participants answered questions about demographics, frailty, housing, and perceived indoor temperature in winter. Participants were grouped based on perceived indoor temperature (Cold or Warm) and economic satisfaction (Unsatisfied or Satisfied). Differences in the frailty index between perceived indoor temperature groups and economic satisfaction groups were tested by using ANCOVA and MANCOVA. An interaction effect showed that people in the Cold Group and unsatisfied with their economic status had significantly higher frailty index scores (<i>F</i>(1, 336) = 5.95, <i>p</i> = 0.015). Furthermore, the frailty index subscale of fall risk was the specific indicator of frailty that accounted for this significant relationship. While previous research has shown the risks related to cold indoor temperature in homes, interestingly among those who reported cold homes, only those who were not satisfied with their economic situation reported being at increased risk for frailty. This highlights the potential importance of preventing fuel poverty to prevent frailty.
topic home
old age
winter season
economic satisfaction
fall risk
url https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/16/4/613
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