Frailty assessment instruments in heart failure: A systematic review
Authors:
McDonagh, J., Martin, L., Ferguson, C., Jha, S. R., Macdonald, P. S., Davidson, P. M., and Newton, P. J.
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Frailty is an independent predictor of mortality across many conditions. Reported rates of frailty in heart failure range from 15% to 74%. There are several instruments available to assess frailty; however, to date there has been no consensus on the most appropriate instrument for use in individuals with heart failure.
AIMS: To identify how frailty is assessed in individuals with heart failure and to elucidate which domains of frailty are most frequently assessed.
METHODS: Key electronic databases were searched (MEDLINE, COCHRANE Central and CINAHL) to identify studies that assessed frailty in individuals with heart failure using a formal frailty instrument.
RESULTS: Twenty studies published in 24 articles were included, for which a total of seven unique frailty instruments were identified. The most commonly used instrument was the Frailty Phenotype ( n= 11), with the majority of studies using a modified version of the Frailty Phenotype ( n= 8). The second most commonly used instrument identified was the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment ( n= 4).
CONCLUSION: There is an increasing interest in the assessment of frailty, but, to date, there is no frailty instrument validated specifically in the heart failure population.
