Table 4

Functioning by frailty classification: Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses

 Frailty classification
RobustPrefrailFrailp Value*
Cross-sectional, bivariate
 VLA mean difficulty†0.29±0.250.87±0.451.34±0.50<0.0001
 SF-36 Physical Function†50.8±7.339.3±10.030.4±8.7<0.0001
 Cognitive, % impaired†20.9 (9)32.4(23)50.0 (14)0.04
Cross-sectional, multivariate
 VLA mean difficulty‡(reference)0.34 (<0.0001)0.62 (<0.0001)
 SF-36 Physical Function‡(reference)−5.9 (0.0003)−10.5 (<0.0001
 Cognitive, % impaired§(reference)2.6 (0.8 to 8.4)5.9 (1.2 to 28.6)
Longitudinal multivariate
 VLA mean difficulty‡(reference)0.11 (0.12)0.31 (0.002)
 SF-36 Physical Function‡(reference)2.4 (0.19)−6.7 (0.01)
 Cognitive, % impaired§(reference)5.3 (0.5 to 61.0)37.3 (1.1 to >999)
  • Cross-sectional multivariate analyses controlled for age, duration, low education, race, oral steroids, obesity, SLAQ, BILD, SF-36 Pain.

  • Longitudinal analyses: baseline frailty component/category predicting change in function 2 years later. Controlled for baseline age, duration, low education, race, oral steroids, obesity, SLAQ, BILD, SF-36 Pain and baseline value of function.

  • *p Value from analysis of variance or χ2 analysis.

  • †Values are mean±SD, or % (n).

  • ‡Values are β parameter estimate (p value) from multiple linear regression analysis.

  • §Values are OR (95% CI) from multiple logistic regression analysis.

  • BILD, Brief Index of Lupus Damage; SLAQ, Systemic Lupus Activity Questionnaire; VLA, Valued Life Activities.

  • Bold indicates statistical significance.