Hilmer et al presented the Reported Edmonton Frail Score (REFS), which can be used to evaluate an older adult for frailty. The authors are from the University of Sydney, Royal North Shore Hospital and the University of Alberta.
The score is derived from the Edmonton Frail Score (EFS).
Patient selection: adult >= 65 years of age
Parameters:
(1) clock drawing showing 11:10 (cognition)
(2) number of times admitted to the hospital in the past year
(3) self-rating of general health
(4) number out of 8 activities needing help (meal preparation, shopping, transportation, telephone use, housekeeping, laundry, managing money, taking medications)
(5) social support (count on someone willing to help you)
(6) take 5 or more prescription medications on a regular basis
(7) ever>=12,"severe", forget to take prescription medications
(8) lost weight so that clothing is feeling loose
(9) mood (feeling sad or depressed)
(10) continence for urine
(11) ability to do heavy work around the house during the past 2 weeks
(12) ability to walk up and down stairs to second floor without help during the past 2 weeks
(13) ability to walk 1 km without help during the past 2 weeks
|
Parameter |
Finding |
Points |
|
clock drawing |
no errors |
0 |
|
|
minor spacing errors |
1 |
|
|
other errors |
2 |
|
hospital admissions |
0 |
0 |
|
|
1 or 2 |
1 |
|
|
>= 3 |
2 |
|
self rating of health |
excellent, very good or good |
0 |
|
|
fair |
1 |
|
|
poor |
2 |
|
number of activities needing help |
0 or 1 |
0 |
|
|
2 to 4 |
1 |
|
|
5 to 8 |
2 |
|
social support |
always |
0 |
|
|
sometimes |
1 |
|
|
never |
2 |
|
take 5 or more prescription medications on a regular basis |
no |
0 |
|
|
yes |
1 |
|
forget to take medications |
no |
0 |
|
|
yes |
1 |
|
lost weight |
no |
0 |
|
|
yes |
1 |
|
feeling sad or depressed |
no |
0 |
|
|
yes |
1 |
|
continence |
no |
0 |
|
|
yes |
1 |
|
ability to do heavy work |
no |
0 |
|
|
yes |
1 |
|
able to walk up and down stairs |
no |
0 |
|
|
yes |
1 |
|
able to walk 1 ilometer |
no |
0 |
|
|
yes |
1 |
total score =
= SUM(points for all of the parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 18
|
Total Score |
|
|
0 to 5 |
not frail |
|
6 or 7 |
vulnerable |
|
8 or 9 |
mild frailty |
|
10 or 11 |
moderate frailty |
|
12 to 18 |
severe frailty |
Specialty: Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation
