Table 2 Classification categories for frailty literature
Category | Definition |
|---|---|
1. Vulnerability | |
1.1 Physiological syndrome | Operational criteria whereby vulnerability is based on physiological factors and/or physical functional impairments (performance measures); multiple systems have to be considered for a study to be classified as using a physiological syndrome definition for frailty. |
1.2 Complex syndrome | Operational criteria whereby vulnerability is based on some combination of physiological and/or functional impairment (physical performance measures) with age, cognitive, psychological (e.g., depressive symptoms), sensory and/or social factors, |
1.3 Geriatric syndrome | Operational criteria whereby vulnerability is based on some combination of chronic disease, the geriatric giants (such as falls, incontinence), functional impairment, disability, cognition, health service utilisation, and/or mortality risk |
2. Disability | ADL/IADL measures with or without functional impairment |
3. Setting or source of recruitment | Criteria refer to the setting or the source of recruitment e.g., all participants in a nursing home or all participants eligible for geriatric assessment |
4. Other | The definition used does not fit into any of the above-mentioned categories |