Patient Frailty: A Review

Author

Lakshmi Sailaja Kodavati

Completion Date

2023

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Program or Discipline Name

Healthcare Informatics

First Advisor

Glenn Mitchell

Abstract

According to Geriator (2011), frailty is a common clinical syndrome in older adults that carries an increased risk for poor health outcomes such as falls, incident disability, hospitalization, and mortality. An operational definition of frailty is the existence of at least three out of five observable criteria indicating compromised energetics: low grip strength; low energy; slowed walking speed; low physical activity; and unintentional weight loss (Fried, et al. 2001).

According to Dubois and Charpillet (2017), most transitions into frailty are due to unintentional weight loss which, in turn, impacts gait performance and subsequent general mobility. In this literature review, the focus is on those patients whose gait performance is compromised. As the common chain of events in this syndrome proceeds, poor gait performance results in low physical activity, decreasing muscular activity, and causing poor balance. Sarcopenia, exhaustion, poor gait performance and depression are primary risk factors for falls. This review also focuses on patients who are cared for at the home by the family physician, nurses, and family members.

Research Question: How do existing methods identify patient frailty and what interventions can reduce adverse health outcomes and health care costs as well as maintain living at home for frail patients?

Recommended Citation

Kodavati, L. (2023). Patient Frailty: A Review. Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.harrisburgu.edu/hcms_dandt/10