. 2023 Dec 30;9(4):791–806. doi: 10.1016/j.ekir.2023.12.022

Table 2.

Comparison of frailty assessment tools validated for use in kidney disease populations

Frailty metric	Strengths as a diagnostic tool	Limitations as a diagnostic tool
Fried frailty phenotype¹	Objective Robust data across different CKD states and settings	Fatigue and weight/fluid status components may vary with dialysis timing Potentially cumbersome
Clinical frailty scale¹⁴⁵	Easy to use Quantitative Potential for retrospective assessment Smart-phone app	Relies on subjective clinical impression. Heavily focused on disability. Over-categorizes frailty in dialysis (Minimum frailty scale 3) Insensitive tool in kidney disease populations
Frailty Index¹⁴⁶	Quantitative Electronic form available	Focused on disability and comorbidity
Comprehensive Geriatric Review²	Gold standard for frailty diagnosis and management Only tool to incorporate cognitive, social and caregiver components.	Resource intensive and arduous for patients
Short Physical Performance Battery¹⁴⁷	Objective Lower limb function highly predictive of outcomes in kidney disease populations	Potentially cumbersome Unable to be utilized in some patients with lower limb amputation or bedbound status
Hand-grip strength¹⁴⁸	Can be performed in patients with lower limb amputation or bedbound status	Lower limb disability more predictive of outcome in kidney disease populations
Voorend’s CKD geriatric assessment tool¹⁴⁹	Holistic assessment of objective physical function, functional dependence, polypharmacy, cognition, nutrition, social and caregiver appraisal	Resource intensive and potentially arduous for patients/caregivers Frailty assessments are relevant in nongeriatric (younger) patient age groups

CKD, chronic kidney disease.