Table 2.

Creation of Frailty Index from assessment tools

Assessment tools	Rigour in older cancer patients	Variables used to code deficits for FI	Deficit Total
Cumulative Index Scale-Geriatrics (CIRS-G)	Confirmed criterion validity [27], good concurrent construct and validity [27], intrarater reliability r = 0.83 and interrater reliability r = 0.81[27, 28]	• Comorbidities coded as deficit (=1) for each comorbidity up to a maximum of 12	12
Malnutrition Screening Tool (MST)	Sensitivity 100% [29]; specificity 81–92% [29]; PPV 0.4–0.8[29]; NPV = 1.0[29]; IRR good [29]	• BMI Weight (kg)/Height (m2) outside normal range (< 22 or > 27) = 1 • Weight loss ≥6 kg = 1 • Decreased appetite = 1	3
Standardised Mini-mental State (SMMSE)	Reliability α = 0.65–0.732[30]; sensitivity 91% [31]; specificity 91% [31]	• Cognitive impairment - Mild (MMSE 20–25) = 0.5 - Moderate/severe (MMSE< 20) = 1	1
Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)	Sensitivity 96% [31] and specificity 88% [31]	• GDS score ≥ 5 = 1	1
Modified Barthel Index (MBI)	Criterion and construct validity established [32]; test-retest reliability r = 0.7[32]; inter-rater reliability r = 0.99[32]	• ADL (personal hygiene, bathing, feeding, toileting, stairs, dressing, ambulation, transfers) - Minimal help required = 0.5 - Moderate help required /Unable to do = 1	8
		• Continence (bowel and bladder) - Minimal help required = 0.5 - Moderate help required /Unable to do = 1	2
Lawton IADL Scale (IADL)	Inter-rater reliability r = 0.85[33]; reliability α = 0.86[33]	• IADL (phone use, shopping, food preparation, house- keeping, laundry, transport, medications, finances) - Minimal help required = 0.5 - Moderate help required /Unable to do = 1	8
Vulnerable Elders Survey-13	Validity established [15]; reliability α = 0.90[15]; sensitivity 90% and specificity 70% [15]	• Self-rated health fair/poor = 1	1
		• Physical performance measures (stooping, lifting, reaching, writing, walking, housework) - A little/some difficulty - A lot of difficulty/Unable to do	6