Ability of Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment to Detect Frailty

Moatassem S. Amer, Tamer M. Farid, Ekrami E. Abd El-Rahman, Deena M. EL-Maleh, Omar H. Omar, Randa A. Mabrouk

Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
Geriatrics and Gerontology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
Radiodiagnosis Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

DOI: 10.4236/aar.2014.32011                

Abstract

Background and Aim of the Work: Frailty is a state of reduced physiological reserve associated with increased susceptibility to disability. It is associated with a high morbidity and mortality. This work assessed the ability of comprehensive geriatric assessment to detect frailty in elderly patients. Subjects and Methods: A total number of 104 elderly patients (above 60 years old) were included in this study and they were subjected to a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) including: (history and full clinical examination, Mini mental status examination (MMSE), Geriatric depression scale (GDS), Activities of daily living (ADL), Instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). The patients were divided into frail and non-frail groups using Fried’s criteria as applied by Avila-Funes et al., 2008, each group included 52 patients. Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding age gender or smoking habits. But there was higher percentage of ADL, IADL dependence in addition to higher incidence of depression and cognitive impairment among frail cases. Conclusion: Comprehensive geriatric assessment can be used to detect frailty and its associated impairment and comorbidities.

Keywords

Frailty, Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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