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Chapter 8 - Frailty

from Section II - Geriatric Syndromes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 June 2022

By
Amy S. Klein  and
Mindy J. Fain
Edited by
Jan Busby-Whitehead ,
Samuel C. Durso ,
Christine Arenson ,
Rebecca Elon ,
Mary H. Palmer  and
William Reichel
Jan Busby-Whitehead
Affiliation:
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Samuel C. Durso
Affiliation:
The Johns Hopkins University, Maryland
Christine Arenson
Affiliation:
Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia
Rebecca Elon
Affiliation:
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Mary H. Palmer
Affiliation:
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
William Reichel
Affiliation:
Georgetown University Medical Center
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Summary

Frailty is an important geriatric syndrome that is common and commonly missed, and affects more than a third of people over age 85. Frailty is characterized by diminished physiologic reserves and function, leading to decreased capacity to withstand stressors. Frail adults are at a higher risk of dependency, institutionalization, and death. Multiple interventions have been attempted, including physical activity, improving nutrition, and hormonal therapy, but there are no curative interventions for frailty and it is not clear if frailty can be reversed. Several issues have limited the advancement of frailty research and translation into practice, including the lack of consensus regarding the definition of frailty, the proliferation of assessment tools, and the gaps in validated best practice guidance for frail patients. The recognition of frailty, especially in its early stages, offers the possibility of preventing or mitigating adverse clinical outcomes. Older adults who are frail may benefit most from a comprehensive geriatric evaluation to help elucidate a plan of care that is consistent with patient's goals, values, and preferences.

Keywords

frailtyfunctionaldebilitystressordeficitsarcopeniamortalityphenotypedeficitdisability
Type
Chapter
Information
Reichel's Care of the Elderly
Clinical Aspects of Aging
 , pp. 81 - 90
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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