Background Frailty is considered one of the major conditions faced by ageing societies. Little has been reported about the transitions between the different frailty states in developing countries. Objective This study aimed to identify the factors associated with transitions between frailty states between 2006 and 2010 among older adults in Brazil. Method The present investigation is part of the SABE study (Health, Well-being and Ageing). Frailty state was classified according to the Fried's

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... teria (nonfrail, prefrail, and frail). The final study sample was composed of 1,399 individuals representing 1,019,243 older adults in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with changes in frailty states. Results Women were more likely to present a decline in frailty states. In the prefrail-to-nonfrail model, level of education was the most strongly associated factor. Advanced age and difficulty in performing at least one basic activity of daily living reduced in 9 and 64% the risk of becoming nonfrail, respectively. Conclusion Addressing the factors associated with transition between frailty states among older adults is essential. Adequate interventions are important to reduce vulnerability and improve the health and well-being of older persons.