Aim: To examine the relationship between functional status, self-perceived quality of life and other health indicators, and their association with clinical risk and assignment to Clinical Risk Groups (CRGs) in older adults (≥65 years).
Design: Cross-sectional study conducted among older patients attending primary care in a city in Spain.
Methods: Data from 384 community-dwelling older adults were analysed in groups <80 and ≥80 years. Functional status (Barthel Index), hand grip strength (HGS), quality of life (EuroQol-5D-5 L and EQ-VAS), medications and polypharmacy were recorded, together with CRG (G0-G3) from clinical records. Correlation and comparison analyses explored associations between health indicators and CRG assignment.
Results: In both age groups, a higher number of medications was associated with lower Barthel Index, EQ-5D and EQ-VAS scores, and older age with lower HGS. Among patients aged <80 years, Barthel Index, number of medications, polypharmacy and EQ-VAS were significantly associated with CRG assignment. In those aged ≥80 years, CRG classification was mainly related to functional status and medication burden, with no clear association with quality of life. In both age groups, HGS was positively correlated with quality of life but showed no association with CRG category.
Conclusion: Functional dependency, medication burden and, in those under 80 years, self-perceived health-related quality of life were key correlates of clinical risk classification. Incorporating simple indicators such as the Barthel Index, HGS and EQ-5D into CRG-based approaches could improve identification of high-risk older adults in primary care.
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