Premium
Novel modification of the Reported Edmonton Frail Scale
Author(s) -
Rose Michael,
Yang Allan,
Welz Martina,
Masik Anna,
Staples Margaret
Publication year - 2018
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.12533
Subject(s) - cognition , equivalence (formal languages) , scale (ratio) , task (project management) , psychology , physics , psychiatry , mathematics , engineering , quantum mechanics , systems engineering , discrete mathematics
Objectives The Reported Edmonton Frail Scale ( REFS ) uses clock drawing as a measure of cognition. However, many patients in the acute hospital setting present with an inability to clock‐draw. We considered an alternative method for assessing cognition based on a history of cognitive impairment. Methods We created a modified version of the REFS (mod‐ REFS ), utilising the same domains as the REFS , in which a screening question of cognition substitutes the clock‐drawing task. Data were collected from a prospective cohort study. Results Of 181 participants, frailty measured with either the REFS or the mod‐ REFS found equivalence. A comparison between clock drawing and cognitive question scores demonstrated a complete agreement for 152 patients (84%), a reduction in cognition score for 25 (14%) and an increase for 4 (2%). Conclusion We suggest the mod‐ REFS will improve the frailty assessment in the acute hospital setting, overcoming the limitations associated with clock drawing.