Objectives: This study aimed to investigate whether frailty could be an explanatory factor of the association between depression and the number of geriatric syndromes. Methods: Cross-sectional baseline data from a cohort study (MiMiCS-FRAIL) were analyzed in a sample of 315 older adults. Depression was measured according to DSM-5 criteria and a selfreport questionnaire (PHQ-9). Frailty was assessed according to the FRAIL questionnaire and a 30item Frailty Index (FI). We considered six geriatric syndromes. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed and adjusted for potential confounders. Results: Multiple linear regression analyses yielded significant associations between depression and geriatric syndromes. These associations decreased substantially in strength when frailty was added to the models. Findings were consistent for different definitions of depression and frailty. Conclusions: Among depressed patients, frailty may be hypothesized as a causal pathway toward adverse health outcomes associated with depression. Longitudinal studies should explore the causality of this association. Clinical implications: Frailty should be treated or prevented in order to minimize the impact of other geriatric syndromes among depressed older adults. Screening for frailty would be of utmost importance in mental health care, as frailty is neglected especially in this field. Integrated care models are crucial for clinical practice in mental illness care.

Background To investigate whether an exercise intervention using the VIVIFRAIL© protocol has benefits for inflammatory and functional parameters in different frailty status. Methods/design This is a randomized clinical trial in an outpatient geriatrics clinic including older adults ≥60 years. For each frailty state (frail, pre-frail and robust), forty-four volunteers will be randomly allocated to the control group (n = 22) and the intervention group (n = 22) for 12 weeks. In the control group, participants will have meetings of health education while those in the intervention group will be part of a multicomponent exercise program (VIVIFRAIL©) performed five times a week (two times supervised and 3 times of home-based exercises). The primary outcome is a change in the inflammatory profile (a reduction in inflammatory interleukins [IL-6, TNF- α, IL1beta, IL-17, IL-22, CXCL-8, and IL-27] or an increase in anti-inflammatory mediators [IL-10, IL1RA, IL-4]). Secondary outcomes are change in physical performance using the Short Physical Performance Battery, handgrip strength, fatigue, gait speed, dual-task gait speed, depressive symptoms, FRAIL-BR and SARC-F scores, and quality of life at the 12-week period of intervention and after 3 months of follow-up. Discussion We expect a reduction in inflammatory interleukins or an increase in anti-inflammatory mediators in those who performed the VIVIFRAIL© protocol. The results of the study will imply in a better knowledge about the effect of a low-cost intervention that could be easily replicated in outpatient care for the prevention and treatment of frailty, especially regarding the inflammatory and anti-inflammatory pathways involved in its pathophysiology. Trial registration Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (RBR-9n5jbw; 01/24/2020). Registred January 2020. http://www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-9n5jbw/.