An effective and practical tool to assess physical frailty in older adults: Turkish validation of the FRAIL Scale

Year 2023, Volume: 36 Issue: 2, 149 - 156, 31.05.2023

Ben Azir Begum Hymabaccus Rana Tuna Dogrul Cafer Balcı Cemile Ozsurekcı Hatice Calıskan Erdem Karabulut Meltem Halıl Mustafa Cankurtaran Burcu Balam Dogu

https://doi.org/10.5472/marumj.1297696

Cited By: 5

Abstract

Objective: Practical scales with tested validity and reliability are needed to clinically determine frailty.The aim of this study is to find
out whether the Fatigue, Resistance, Ambulation, Illnesses, and Loss of weight (FRAIL) Scale is an effective screening scale to show
frailty.
Patients and Methods: The Frail non-Disabled (FIND) scale validated in the Turkish population was applied for FRAIL Scale validation.
Comprehensive geriatric assessment and Fried Index were performed on 85 outpatients who were 65 years and older. The patients were
examined in terms of comorbidity, number of falls, living environment, number of drugs used, and hospitalization in the last year.
Results: The FRAIL Scale had a high correlation with the FIND scale and Fried Index (correlation coefficients are 0.956 and 0.934,
respectively). In addition, it was found to be associated with Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Instrumental Activities of Daily Living
(IADL) scales, the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE),Y esavage Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Mini Nutritional Assessment
short-form (MNA-sf),Clock Drawing Test (CDT), handgrip strength, and timed up and go test (p<0.05). The compliance between
independent practitioners and test-retest compliance were found to be 100% (full compliance,Cronbach’s alpha coefficient is 1.00).
Conclusion: In the Turkish geriatric population, the FRAIL Scale was found to be a reliable and valid scale in showing frailty.

Keywords

The FRAIL scale, Frailty, Comprehensive geriatric assessment

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