Table 1.
Domains and Measures Captured by Geriatric Assessment Tool
| Domain With Measure | No. of Items | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Functional status | ||
| MOS physical health20 | 10 | Measures limitations in a wide range of physical functions (from bathing/dressing to vigorous activities such as running) |
| Instrumental Activities of Daily Living [subscale of the OARS]21 | 7 | Measures ability to complete activities required to maintain independence in the community (ie, meal preparation, shopping, making telephone calls, money management) |
| Karnofsky performance status (rated by the health care professional)22* | 1 | Global indicator of patient function determined by the health care professional on a scale of 0 to 100 |
| Karnofsky self-reported performance rating scale23 | 1 | Global indicator of patient function determined by patient self-report ranging from normal to severely disabled on a scale of 40 to 100 |
| No. of falls in last 6 months | 1 | No. of times patient has fallen in last 6 months |
| Timed Up and Go24* | 1 | Performance-based measure of functional status: amount of time it takes for seated patient to rise from a chair, walk 10 feet, walk back, and sit down |
| MOS social activities20 | 4 | Measures ability to participate in social activities and degree to which health status limits normal social activities |
| Comorbid medical conditions | ||
| Physical health section (subscale of the OARS)21 | 15 | List of comorbid illnesses and the degree to which they impair daily activities; patient can add additional comorbid illnesses not listed; rating of eyesight and hearing |
| Psychological state | ||
| Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale25 | 14 | Measures of anxiety and depression |
| Social support | ||
| MOS social support survey: emotional/ information and tangible subscales26 | 12 | Perceived availability of social support |
| Nutritional status | ||
| Body mass index27 | 1 | Weight/height2 |
| Percent unintentional weight loss in past 6 months28,29 | 1 | Unintentional weight loss in last 6 months/baseline body weight × 100 |
| Cognition | ||
| Blessed Orientation-Memory-Concentration test30,31* | 6 | Gross measure of cognitive function |
| Medications | ||
| Comprehensive list of medications | 1 | List of medications including prescribed, herbal, and over-the-counter medications |
Abbreviations: MOS, Medical Outcomes Study; OARS, Older American Resources and Services.
*
Items completed by the healthcare professional (Karnofsky performance status, Timed Up and Go, and Blessed Orientation-Memory-Concentration test).