Abstract
The aim of this cross-sectional study was to develop a Frailty at Risk Scale (FARS) incorporating ten well-known determinants of frailty: age, sex, marital status, ethnicity, education, income, lifestyle, multimorbidity, life events, and home living environment. In addition, a second aim was to develop an online calculator that can easily support healthcare professionals in determining the risk of frailty among community-dwelling older people. The FARS was developed using data of 373 people aged ≥ 75 years. The Tilburg Frailty Indicator (TFI) was used for assessing frailty. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the determinants multimorbidity, unhealthy lifestyle, and ethnicity (ethnic minority) were the most important predictors. The area under the curve (AUC) of the model was 0.811 (optimism 0.019, 95% bootstrap CI = −0.029; 0.064). The FARS is offered on a Web site, so that it can be easily used by healthcare professionals, allowing quick intervention in promoting quality of life among community-dwelling older people.
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Data availability and material
All data were pseudonymized and stored in a central and secure server at (blinded for review). Furthermore, we have complied with the law with regard to personal data privacy information (Dutch Data Protection Authority.
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The authors would like to thank the study participants for their contributions to this study.
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RG was involved in study concept and design, acquisition of subjects and data, and preparation of manuscript (drafting, final approval). TP was involved in study concept and design, analysis and interpretation of data, and preparation of manuscript (drafting, final approval). Both authors agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
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For this study, medical ethics approval was not necessary as particular treatments or interventions were not offered or withheld from respondents. The integrity of the respondents was not encroached upon as a consequence of participating in this study, which is the main criterion in medical–ethical procedures in the Netherlands (Central Committee on Research Involving Human Subjects, 2010). This research was conducted according to the guidelines for good clinical practice. The researchers did not make the questionnaire long so the burden on participants would be limited; the average time for completing the questionnaire was 20 min. In addition, the questionnaire contained measures that have already been used in many previous studies among older people.
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Gobbens, R.J.J., van der Ploeg, T. Frailty at Risk Scale (FARS): development and application. Eur J Ageing 19, 301–308 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10433-021-00628-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10433-021-00628-4