Table 1.
Variables Used to Calculate the Frailty Indexa
| Variables used in frailty index | Points assigned |
|---|---|
| Comorbidities | |
| Body mass index, kg/m2 | <18.5 or ≥30 = 1 25 to <30 = 0.5 18.5 to <25 = 0 |
| Hypertension | Yes = 1, No = 0 |
| Diabetes | Yes = 1, No = 0 |
| Hyperlipidemia | Yes = 1, No = 0 |
| Chronic kidney disease | Yes = 1, No = 0 |
| Coronary artery disease | Yes = 1, No = 0 |
| Cardiac arrhythmia | Yes = 1, No = 0 |
| Atrial fibrillation | Yes = 1, No = 0 |
| Congestive heart failure | Yes = 1, No = 0 |
| Stroke | Yes = 1, No = 0 |
| Cancer | Yes = 1, No = 0 |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease | Yes = 1, No = 0 |
| Asthma | Yes = 1, No = 0 |
| Dementia | Yes = 1, No = 0 |
| Depression | Yes = 1, No = 0 |
| Anxiety | Yes = 1, No = 0 |
| Substance Abuse disorders | Yes = 1, No = 0 |
| Osteoporosis | Yes = 1, No = 0 |
| Fracture at osteoporotic site | Yes = 1, No = 0 |
| Arthritis | Yes = 1, No = 0 |
| Symptoms | |
| Excessive bruising | Yes = 1, No = 0 |
| Joint pain/stiffness | Yes = 1, No = 0 |
| Muscle pain/stiffness | Yes = 1, No = 0 |
| Back pain/stiffness | Yes = 1, No = 0 |
| Weakness in arms/legs | Yes = 1, No = 0 |
| Fall easily | Yes = 1, No = 0 |
| Weight gain >10 pounds | Yes = 1, No = 0 |
| Sleep difficulty | Yes = 1, No = 0 |
| Sad most of the time | Yes = 1, No = 0 |
| Restless and irritable | Yes = 1, No = 0 |
| Anxious or nervous | Yes = 1, No = 0 |
| Difficulty concentrating | Yes = 1, No = 0 |
| Little interest in relationships or activities | Yes = 1, No = 0 |
| Activity of Daily living | |
| Difficulty preparing meals | Yes = 1, No = 0 |
| Difficulty eating | Yes = 1, No = 0 |
| Difficulty dressing | Yes = 1, No = 0 |
| Difficulty using toilet | Yes = 1, No = 0 |
| Difficulty housekeeping | Yes = 1, No = 0 |
| Difficulty climbing stairs | Yes = 1, No = 0 |
| Difficulty bathing | Yes = 1, No = 0 |
| Difficulty walking | Yes = 1, No = 0 |
| Difficulty using transportation | Yes = 1, No = 0 |
| Difficulty getting in/out of bed | Yes = 1, No = 0 |
| Difficulty taking medications | Yes = 1, No = 0 |
| Need assistive device | Yes = 1, No = 0 |
| Need device for breathing | Yes = 1, No = 0 |
| Climbing 2 flights of stairs | No, can’t do at all = 1 Yes, with difficulty = 0.5 Yes with no difficulty = 0 |
aThe Frailty index is calculated as the cumulative points divided by 47 (range of 0-1).