FRAIL scale: Predictive validity and diagnostic test accuracy

Objective To examine the predictive validity of the FRAIL scale for mortality, and diagnostic test accuracy (DTA) against the frailty phenotype (FP). Measurement Frailty was measured in 846 community‐dwelling adults (mean age 74.3 [SD 6.3] years, 54.8% female) using a modified FRAIL scale and modified FP. Mortality was matched to death records. Results The FRAIL scale demonstrated significant predictive validity for mortality up to 10 years (Frail adjHR: 2.60, P  < .001). DTA findings were acceptable for specificity (86.8%) and Youden index (0.50), but not sensitivity (63.6%), or area under the receiver operator curve (auROC) (0.75). DTA estimates were more acceptable when a cut‐point of ≥2 characteristics was used rather than ≥3 in the primary DTA analysis. Conclusion The FRAIL scale is a valid predictor of mortality. DTA estimates depend on FRAIL scale cut‐point used. This instrument is a potentially useful frailty screening tool.