Conclusions The TFI has the most robust evidence of reliability and validity and has been the most extensively examined in terms of psychometric properties .
However , there is insufficient evidence at present to determine the best tool for use in research and clinical practice .
Background Frailty is widely recognised as a distinct multifactorial clinical syndrome that implies vulnerability .
The links between frailty and adverse outcomes such as death and institutionalisation have been widely evidence d. There is currently no gold st and ard frailty assessment tool ; optimizing the assessment of frailty in older people therefore remains a research priority .
The objective of this systematic review is to identify existing multi-component frailty assessment tools that were specifically developed to assess frailty in adults aged ≥60 years old and to systematic ally and critically evaluate the reliability and validity of these tools .
Antecedents of frailty over three decades in an older cohort.
Studies of disability in old age have focused on gross measures of physical functioning . More useful results for prevention might be gleaned from examining risk factors associated with frailty , a concept implying a broader range of more subtle problems in multiple domains . This study conceptualized frailty as involving problems or difficulties in two or more functional domains ( physical , nutritive , cognitive , and sensory ) and analyzed prospect i ve predictors . Subjects were 574 Alameda County Study respondents age 65 - 102 . One-fourth scored as frail ; there was no gender difference . Frail persons reported reduced activities , poorer mental health , and lower life satisfaction . Cumulative predictors over the previous three decades included heavy drinking , cigarette smoking , physical inactivity , depression , social isolation , fair or poor perceived health , prevalence of chronic symptoms , and prevalence of chronic conditions . By modifying these risk factors , it may be possible to postpone the onset of frailty or ameliorate its further development
Conclusions The TFI has the most robust evidence of reliability and validity and has been the most extensively examined in terms of psychometric properties .
However , there is insufficient evidence at present to determine the best tool for use in research and clinical practice .
Background Frailty is widely recognised as a distinct multifactorial clinical syndrome that implies vulnerability .
The links between frailty and adverse outcomes such as death and institutionalisation have been widely evidence d. There is currently no gold st and ard frailty assessment tool ; optimizing the assessment of frailty in older people therefore remains a research priority .
The objective of this systematic review is to identify existing multi-component frailty assessment tools that were specifically developed to assess frailty in adults aged ≥60 years old and to systematic ally and critically evaluate the reliability and validity of these tools .