Screening for Frailty Using the FRAIL Scale in Older Cancer Survivors: A Cross-sectional Comparison With the Fried Phenotype.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the diagnostic performance of the FRAIL Scale for frailty screening with reference to the Fried phenotype and investigate its association with health outcomes in older cancer survivors. DATA SOURCE: In this cross-sectional quantitative study, participants were post-treatment cancer survivors aged 65 or above. Measurements included the FRAIL Scale, Fried phenotype, Geriatric Depression Scale-15 item, Modified Barthel Inventory, and EORTC Core Quality of Life Questionnaire. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the FRAIL Scale with reference to the Fried phenotype. Health outcomes associated with being frail as estimated by the FRAIL Scale and Fried phenotype were also examined using regressions. RESULTS: Based on 293 older cancer survivors, the area under curve (AUC) of the FRAIL Scale was 0.79, and the optimal cut-off of 1 yielded a sensitivity of 92% and specificity of 41%. According to regression results, the FRAIL Scale was modified by adding an item on time since cancer treatment completion (AUC = 0.81), and using a cut-off of 2 for older cancer survivors, which yielded a sensitivity of 74% and specificity of 67%. The modified FRAIL Scale was associated with depressive symptoms, functional independence, fatigue, dyspnea, physical functioning, and role functioning. CONCLUSIONS: The modified FRAIL Scale is proposed for use in older cancer survivors, and a cut-off of 2 should be used. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: The modified FRAIL Scale can serve as a brief screening tool for identifying frailty among older cancer survivors in practice.

Association of frailty with long-term homecare utilization in older adults following cancer surgery: Retrospective population-based cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Frailty is an important prognostic factor, and the association with postoperative dependence is important outcome to older adults. We examined the association of frailty with long-term homecare utilization for older adults following cancer surgery. METHODS: In this population-based cohort study, we determined frailty status in all older adults (≥70 years old) undergoing cancer resection (2007-2017). Outcomes were receipt of homecare and intensity of homecare (days per month) over 5 years. We estimated the adjusted association of frailty with outcomes, and assessed interaction with age. RESULTS: Of 82,037 patients, 6443 (7.8%) had frailty. Receipt and intensity of homecare was greater with frailty, but followed similar trajectories over 5 years between groups. Homecare receipt peaked in the first postoperative month (51.4% frailty, 43.1% no frailty), and plateaued by 1 year until 5 years (28.5% frailty, 12.8% no frailty). After 1 year, those with frailty required 4 more homecare days per month than without frailty (14 vs 10 days/month). After adjustment, frailty was associated with increased homecare receipt (hazard ratio 1.40; 95%CI 1.35-1.45), and increasing intensity each year (year 1 incidence rate ratio [IRR] 1.22, 95%CI 1.18-1.27 to year 5 IRR 1.47, 95%CI 1.35-1.59). The magnitude of the association of frailty with homecare receipt decreased with age (pinteraction <0.001). CONCLUSION: While the trajectory of homecare receipt and intensity is similar between those with and without frailty, frailty is associated with increased receipt of homecare and increased intensity of homecare after cancer surgery across all age groups.

Síndrome da fragilidade e o uso de tecnologias assistivas em idosos / Syndrome of frailty and the use of assistive technologies in elderly / Síndrome de la fragilidad y el uso de tecnologías asistas en idosos

Objetivo: Analisar a associação entre a síndrome da fragilidade e o uso de tecnologias assistivas em idosos de um ambulatório. Método: Pesquisa transversal, com 374 idosos, entre fevereiro de 2016 a fevereiro de 2017. A coleta de dados contemplou instrumento estruturado e Escala de Fragilidade de Edmonton. Para análise utilizou-se o Stata®12, verificou-se a associação por meio dos testes F de Fisher e t de Student (p≤0,05). Resultados: Predomínio de mulheres (67,4%), média de idade de 67,9 anos, casados (56,4%), baixa escolaridade (55,1%). Dos participantes, 4,5% utilizavam bengala, 1,3% muleta e 0,3% andador, 29,4% faziam uso de lentes corretivas, 40,1% dos idosos apresentaram algum grau de fragilidade. As análises bivariada e multivariada apontaram associação positiva entre a fragilidade e bengala (p=0,001). Conclusão: Importante do profissional de saúde, realize o rastreio precoce da fragilidade com destaque para os idosos em uso de tecnologias assistivas, pois podem indicar o comprometimento e perda funcional

Objective: To analyze the association between the fragility syndrome and the use of assistive technologies in the elderly in an outpatient clinic. Method: Cross-sectional research with 374 elderly individuals, between February 2016 and February 2017. Data collection included structured instrument and Edmonton Fragility Scale. Stata®12 was used for analysis, the association was verified through Fisher's F test and Student's t test (p≤0.05). Results: Predominance of women (67.4%), mean age of 67.9 years, married (56.4%), low educational level (55.1%). Of the participants, 4.5% used bengal, 1.3% crutch and 0.3% walker, 29.4% used corrective lenses, 40.1% of the elderly presented some degree of fragility. The bivariate and multivariate analysis showed a positive association between fragility and bengal (p=0.001). Conclusion: Important for the health professional, perform the early screening of the fragility, highlighting the elderly using assistive technologies, as they may indicate impairment and functional loss

Objetivo: Analizar la asociación entre el síndrome de fragilidad y el uso de tecnologías asistivas en ancianos de un ambulatorio. Método: Investigación transversal, con 374 ancianos, entre febrero de 2016 a febrero de 2017. La recolección de datos contempló instrumento estructurado y Escala de Fragilidad de Edmonton. Para el análisis se utilizó el Stata®12, se verificó la asociación por medio de las pruebas F de Fisher y t de Student (p≤0,05). Resultados: Predominio de mujeres (67,4%), promedio de edad de 67,9 años, casados (56,4%), baja escolaridad (55,1%). De los participantes, el 4,5% utilizaba bengala, el 1,3% muleta y el 0,3% andador, el 29,4% hacía uso de lentes correctivas, el 40,1% de los ancianos presentaron algún grado de fragilidad. Los análisis bivariados y multivariados apuntaron una asociación positiva entre la fragilidad y el bengala (p=0,001). Conclusión: Importante del profesional de salud, realice el rastreo precoz de la fragilidad con destaque para los ancianos en uso de tecnologías asistivas, pues pueden indicar el compromiso y pérdida funcional

The effect of volunteers' care and support on the health outcomes of older adults in acute care: A systematic scoping review.

AIM: To examine the available evidence on the effects of care and support provided by volunteers on the health outcomes of older adults in acute care services. BACKGROUND: Acute hospital inpatient populations are becoming older, and this presents the potential for poorer health outcomes. Factors such as chronic health conditions, polypharmacy and cognitive and functional decline are associated with increased risk of health care-related harm, such as falls, delirium and poor nutrition. To minimise the risk of health care-related harm, volunteer programmes to support patient care have been established in many hospitals worldwide. DESIGN: A systematic scoping review. METHODS: The review followed the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) (File S1). Nine databases were searched (CINAHL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, ScienceDirect and JBI) using the following key terms: 'hospital', 'volunteer', 'sitter', 'acute care', 'older adults', 'confusion', 'dementia' and 'frail'. The search was limited to papers written in English and published from 2002-2017. Inclusion criteria were studies involving the use of hospital volunteers in the care or support of older adult patients aged ≥ 65 years, or ≥ 50 years for Indigenous peoples, with chronic health conditions, cognitive impairment and/or physical decline or frailty, within the acute inpatient settings. RESULTS: Of the 199 articles identified, 17 articles that met the inclusion criteria were critically appraised for quality, and 12 articles were included in the final review. CONCLUSIONS: There is evidence that the provision of volunteer care and support with eating and drinking, mobilising and therapeutic activities can impact positively upon patient health outcomes related to nutrition, falls and delirium. Further robust research is needed to determine the impact of volunteers in acute care and the specific care activities that can contribute to the best outcomes for older adults. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Volunteers can play a valuable role in supporting care delivery by nurses and other health professionals in acute care services, and their contribution can improve health outcomes for older adults in this setting.

The role of the registered nurse in supporting frailty in care homes.

People in nursing and residential homes are more likely to suffer frailty. Registered nurses are a crucial component of the care delivery service and can offer support to patients who have complex care needs and comorbidities and are at risk of unplanned admissions to secondary care. This article explores frailty and the role of the nurse in assessing for frailty. Three aspects of patient care-nutrition status, polypharmacy and exercise and cognitive function-are discussed as areas where nurses can target their interventions in order to support those considered as frail, aiming to reduce the impact of frailty and negative health outcomes.

Frailty in Older Adults: Assessment, Support, and Treatment Implications in Patients With Cancer

BACKGROUND: Frailty is defined as a disability in those of advanced age, often with comorbidities, poor nutritional status, cognitive decline, and reduced functional status. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this article is to discuss the concept of frailty, assess the use of a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA), and understand the implications for treatment to maintain or enhance physical, functional, and cognitive health of older adult patients with cancer. METHODS: Literature about frailty in older adult patients diagnosed with cancer was reviewed to determine evidence-based assessment and treatment options. FINDINGS: About half of all older adult patients with cancer experience some degree of frailty. CGA is a useful way to evaluate frailty and the extent of limitations. Many frailty-specific tools have been developed. Evidence-based strategies are available to address limitations associated with frailty in older adult patients with cancer.