Frailty Flashcards
How is frailty defined by international consensus?
As a medical syndrome with multiple causes and contributors that is characterised by diminished strength and endurance, and reduced physiological function that increases an individuals vulnerability for developing increased dependency and/or death
What is the relationship between frailty and ageing?
It is recognised to correlate with increasing age, disease, or disability, but is a separate entity in its own right
When might it be possible to intervene to stop a person becoming frail?
If we understand what causes a person to be frail
What concepts are used to understand frailty?
- Frailty phenotype
- Accumulation of deficits model
What is the Fried model of phenotypic frailty defined as?
The presence of 3 or more of;
- Unintentional weight loss
- Weakness evidenced by poor grip strength
- Self-reported exhaustion
- Slow walking speed
- Low levels of physical activity
How are individuals with one or two characteristics on the Fried model of phenotypic frailty defined?
Pre-frail
How are individuals with no characteristics on the Fried model of phenotypic frailty defined?
Robust
What is phenotypic frailty predictive of?
Higher risk of falls, hospitalisation, disability, and death
What is the frailty index?
A count of health deficits
What does more deficits mean in the frailty index?
The more deficits accumulated, the frailer the person and the greater the risk of deterioration and death
What is the best known frailty index?
The Rockwood Frailty Index
What are ‘deficits’ in the frailty index?
- Symptoms
- Signs
- Diseases
- Disabilities
- Investigation findings
How many deficits are there in the Rockwood frailty index?
Different versions ranging between 30-70, but requires at least 30 to work
How is the Rockwood frailty index expressed?
As a ratio
How is the Rockwood frailty index calculated?
Number of deficits an individual has / total number of deficits considered
How were the deficits used in the Rockwood frailty index decided on?
They are designed to be a reflection of health status, were considering to increase in prevalence with age, and cover a wide range of systems
What do higher scores on the Rockwood frailty index predict?
Increased risk of deterioration in health, institutionalisation, and death
What score is considered to be very fit on the Rockwood frailty index?
0.09 or less
What score is considered to be mildly frail on the Rockwood frailty index?
0.10-0.27
What score is considered to be severely frail on the Rockwood frailty index?
0.28-0.42