For Healthcare Providers

Development and validation of an electronic frailty index using routine primary care electronic health record data

A. Clegg, C. Bates, J. Young, R.Ryan, et al.

Age and Ageing. 2016;45(3):353-60

International guidelines recommend routine identification of frailty to provide evidence-based treatment, but currently available tools require additional resource. This retrospective cohort study wants to develop and validate an electronic frailty index (eFI), using routinely available primary care electronic health record data.

Differences in palliative care quality between patients with cancer, patients with organ failure and frail patients: A study based on measurements with the Consumer Quality Index Palliative Care for bereaved relatives

J.M. Hofstede, N.J. Raijmakers, L.S. van der Hoek, et al.

Palliat Med. 2016;30(8):780-8

The aim of this paper is to compare the quality of palliative care provided to patients with cancer, patients with organ failure and frail patients and their relatives. Compared with the bereaved relatives of patients with cancer, bereaved relatives of patients with organ failure or frailty were more likely to negatively assess the palliative care provided to both the patient and themselves.

Comparison of Handgrip and Leg Extension Strength in Predicting Slow Gait Speed in Older Adults

M.S. Fragala, D.E. Alley, M.D. Shardell, et al.

J Am Geriatr Soc. 2016;64:144–150

This study aimed at comparing the relative predictive power of handgrip and leg extension strength in predicting slow walking.

Results suggest that handgrip strength may be an adequate measure to predict physical function whereas leg extension strength is only a slightly better predictor of slow gait speed.

Is Trunk Posture in Walking a Better Marker than Gait Speed in Predicting Decline in Function and Subsequent Frailty?

R.A. Merchant, S. Banerji, G. Singh, et al.

J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2016;17(1):65-70

Older adults are known to compensate well for declining physiological reserve through environmental modification and posture adaptation. This study aimed to analyze and identify significant posture adaptation in older adults that is required to maintain gait speed in the face of increasing vulnerability. Data of this study suggest that identifying trunk posture adaptation before the onset of decline in gait speed will help in planning interventions in the at-risk community-dwelling older adults even before gait speed declines.

What is a Clinically Meaningful Improvement in Leg-Extensor Power for Mobility-limited Older Adults?

D.R. Kirn, K.F. Reid, C. Hau, et al.

J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2016;71(5):632-6

The purpose of this study is to establish the minimal clinically important improvement (MCII) and substantial improvement (SI) for leg-extensor power and muscle contraction velocity in mobility-limited older adults.

This is the first study to establish a clinically meaningful improvement of leg-extensor power (9%-10%) and velocity (6%-7%) in mobility-limited older adults

Dairy Consumption and Risk of Frailty in Older Adults: A Prospective Cohort Study

A. Lana, F. Rodriguez-Artalejo and E. Lopez-Garcia

J Am Geriatr Soc. 2015;63(9):1852-60

Some studies have found positive effects of dairy consumption in older people, but the evidence base for this recommendation remains scarce. This study aimed to examining the association between consumption of dairy products and risk of frailty in community-dwelling older adults. Data obtained shown that higher consumption of low-fat milk and yogurt are associated with lower risk of frailty and, specifically, lower risk of slow walking speed and weight loss.

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