Kaehr et al reported the FRAIL-NH as a screening instrument for frailty in older adults. It can help to identify a patient at increased risk for falls and hospitalization. The authors are from Saint Louis University.
FRAIL-NH is an acronym for tis components.
Patient selection: adult >= 65 years of age
Parameters:
(1) fatigue (F)
(2) resistance (R)
(3) ambulation (A)
(4) incontinence (I)
(5) loss of weight (L)
(6) nutrition (N)
(7) help with dressing (H)
Parameter
Finding
Points
fatigue
no
0
yes
1
PHQ-9 >= 10
2
resistance (transfer)
independent transfer
0
set up
1
physical help
2
ambulation
independent
0
walker
1
wheelchair; unable to walk
2
incontinence
none
0
bladder
1
bowel
2
loss of weight
no
0
yes
1
nutrition
regular diet
0
mechanically altered
1
feeding tube
2
help with dressing
independent
0
set up
1
physical help
2
where:
• PHQ-9 is the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 which is a screen for depression.
total score =
= SUM(points for all 7 parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 13
• The higher the score the greater the risk of frailty.
Score
Status
0 to 5
not frail
6 or 7
prefrail
8 to 13
frail
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
