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Feasibility and construct validity of a F railty index for patients with chronic kidney disease
Author(s) -
Hubbard Ruth E,
Peel Nancye M,
Smith Morgan,
Dawson Blake,
Lambat Zahed,
Bak Melissa,
Best Jennifer,
Johnson David W
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
australasian journal on ageing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.63
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1741-6612
pISSN - 1440-6381
DOI - 10.1111/ajag.12231
Subject(s) - index (typography) , construct (python library) , construct validity , disease , kidney disease , medicine , gerontology , clinical psychology , computer science , psychometrics , world wide web , programming language
Aim To determine whether the frailty status of patients with chronic kidney disease ( CKD ) can be measured using a F railty index ( FI ). Methods One hundred and eleven attending a nephrology clinic were approached to complete a one‐page questionnaire evaluating cognitive, psychological and functional status. Data were coded as deficits, summed and divided by the total number of deficits considered, to derive an FI ‐ CKD . Results One hundred and ten (mean age 65.2 years) agreed to participate and assessments took approximately 10 minutes to complete. Mean FI ‐ CKD was 0.25 ( SD 0.12). The FI ‐ CKD increased with age at 3% per year, correlated with a modified F ried phenotype (P < 0.001) and increased significantly across CKD stages (P = 0.04). Conclusions The FI ‐ CKD is feasible in the outpatient setting and has good construct validity. The greater granularity of a continuous measure has the potential to inform decision‐making regarding appropriate interventions for patients at the ‘frail’ end of the health spectrum.