The impact of personality traits on the course of frailty.

Objectives: Determinants of frailty are generally explored within context of somatic healthcare and/or lifestyle characteristics. To examine the impact of personality traits on change in frailty and the potential role of depression.

Methods: A 2-year follow-up study including 285 patients with a depressive disorder and 116 never-depressed controls. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to regress the Big Five personality traits (independent variables) on different frailty measures (dependent variables), including the Frailty Index, Frailty phenotype, gait speed, and handgrip strength. Analyses were adjusted for confounders (with and without depressive disorder) and baseline frailty severity. Interactions between personality traits and depressive disorder were examined.

Results: All personality traits were associated with change in at least one frailty marker over time. Over time, a higher level of neuroticism was associated with an accelerated increase of frailty, whereas a higher level of extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness and openness were associated with an attenuated increase of frailty. None of the associations were moderated by depression. Additional adjustment for depression decreased the strength of the association of neuroticism, extraversion and conscientiousness with frailty.

Conclusions: Personality traits have impact on frailty trajectories in later life.

Clinical Implications: Underlying pathways and potential modification by psychotherapy merit further study.