A systematic review of 20 studies identified 7 unique frailty instruments used in heart failure, most commonly the Frailty Phenotype (n=11), but none are specifically validated for this population.
Systematic Review
What frailty assessment instruments are used in individuals with heart failure?
This systematic review highlights that while frailty assessment is increasingly common in heart failure, there is currently no instrument validated specifically for this population.
BACKGROUND: Frailty is an independent predictor of mortality across many conditions. Reported rates of frailty in heart failure range from 15% to 74%. There are several instruments available to assess frailty; however, to date there has been no consensus on the most appropriate instrument for use in individuals with heart failure. AIMS: To identify how frailty is assessed in individuals with heart failure and to elucidate which domains of frailty are most frequently assessed. METHODS: Key electronic databases were searched (MEDLINE, COCHRANE Central and CINAHL) to identify studies that assessed frailty in individuals with heart failure using a formal frailty instrument. RESULTS: Twenty studies published in 24 articles were included, for which a total of seven unique frailty instruments were identified. The most commonly used instrument was the Frailty Phenotype ( n= 11), with the majority of studies using a modified version of the Frailty Phenotype ( n= 8). The second most commonly used instrument identified was the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment ( n= 4). CONCLUSION: There is an increasing interest in the assessment of frailty, but, to date, there is no frailty instrument validated specifically in the heart failure population.
McDonagh et al. (Thu,) conducted a systematic review in heart failure. Frailty assessment instruments was evaluated on Frailty assessment instruments used. A systematic review of 20 studies identified 7 unique frailty instruments used in heart failure, most commonly the Frailty Phenotype (n=11), but none are specifically validated for this population.