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Definitions and markers of frailty: a systematic review of literature

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 October 2010

LL Borges  and
RL Menezes
LL Borges*
Affiliation:
Core Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Health Department of the Federal District of Brasília
RL Menezes
Affiliation:
Faculty of Ceilândia, University of Brasília, Brazil
*
Address for correspondence: Larissa de Lima Borges, SHIN, Bloco 4, Conjunto L, Edifício Mônica Assunção, apto. 206, Lago Norte. Brasília-DF, Brasil. E-mail: [email protected]
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Summary

Frailty is a central concept in geriatric medicine, but without a clear definition. Many regard it as a syndrome with its own clinical manifestations and pathophysiology, whilst others consider it to be the result of the accumulation of age-related deficits that predict adverse changes in health. We analysed, through a systematic review, the definitions and markers of the frailty syndrome. Twenty-five articles were included and divided, according to design, into observational, intervention, review and qualitative studies. There was a predominance of operational definitions that used only physical markers to identify frailty. The only qualitative study found that health professionals chose a multidimensional definition that took into account factors other than just the physical. We conclude that there is still no standard definition or agreement about markers of the frailty syndrome.

Keywords

reviewfrail older adultsbiological markersdefinition
Type
Intermediate care and rehabilitation
Information
Reviews in Clinical Gerontology , Volume 21 , Issue 1 , February 2011 , pp. 67 - 77
Creative Commons
This is a work of the U.S. Government and is not subject to copyright protection in the United States.
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010. This is a work of the U.S. Government and is not subject to copyright protection in the United States.

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