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Frailty is the consequence of cumulative declines in multiple physiological systems during life, resulting in impaired homeostasis and vulnerability to acute stressors. It is associated with adverse health outcomes, including falls, dependency, hospitalisation, and death. With timely interventions, the consequences of frailty can be ameliorated, and screening may identify risk and facilitate assistance that meets individual needs.

A frailty index can be used to predict the risk of adverse health outcomes. Frailty index scores can be generated when comprehensive geriatric health assessments have been undertaken, especially if supported by electronic systems, as is the case in England for general practice.

This MJA research shares more.

Learning Outcomes

1. Explain key components of the research
2. List main findings
3. Identify frailer groups in the population using the frailty index.

Details

Author: Jyoti Khadka, Renuka Visvanathan, Olga Theou, Max Moldovan, Azmeraw T Amare, Catherine Lang, Julie Ratcliffe, Steven L Wesselingh and Maria C Inacio

Article Type: Research