A cross-sectional analysis of 6,769 adults in the U.S. revealed that frailty rates in individuals with preserved ratio impaired spirometry (PRISm) were comparable to those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with 32.4% of PRISm individuals being frail. PRISm is characterized by reduced FEV₁ under 80% predicted but an FEV₁/FVC ratio of ≥0.70. The study found significant risk factors for frailty in the PRISm group, including sex, obesity, race, smoking, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. The findings suggest PRISm may need more clinical attention due to its frailty burden.

Source: BMJ Open