VALIDATION OF EDMONTON FRAIL SCALE INTO ELDERLY TURKISH POPULATION.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this methodological study was to assess the validity and reliability of Turkish version of the "Edmonton Frail Scale" (EFS). METHOD: 130 individuals aged 65 and over residing at the Izmir Narlidere Nursing Home between September 2011 - April 2012 who agreed to participate in the study constituted the sample for the research. Individuals with communication problems (deafness, blindness or language barriers) and problems with manual dexterity were not included in the study. The EFS is composed of 11 items, with a minimum score of zero and a maximum score of 17. Initially, the scale was translated into Turkish and then back translated in order to ensure language equivalence. Six experts were consulted with regard to content validity and agreement among the experts was assessed using Kendall's W. When testing the reliability of the EFS, the scale was re-administered to 30 participants two-three weeks after the initial administration in order to determine its consistency over time and agreement between the first and second administration was analysed using the kappa statistic. Pearson's Moment Correlation Coefficient and Cronbach's Alpha were also used to establish reliability. FINDINGS: The overall Cronbach's alpha value for the scale was 0.75. An "item analysis" calculated item-total correlation coefficients of between 0.12-0.65 for scale items, and the item-total correlation for item six was found to be less than 0.20. This item solicits the number of medications used by the subject, and since the number of medications used is significant in the determination of frailty it was not removed from the scale. The scale was found to be highly consistent over time (Kappa (κ) = Min: 0.95, Max: 1.00) CONCLUSION: EFS indicators were found to be sufficiently reliable and valid for the Turkish population. Accordingly, it is recommended that this scale be used in determining the frailty of older individuals.

Features of pressure ulcers in hospitalized older adults.

BACKGROUND: The objectives of this study were to examine the prevalence and risk of pressure ulcers (PrUs) among hospitalized patients 65 years or older in a university hospital setting and to assess the potential for prevention and healing in that population. METHODS: The retrospective study conducted at the general medicine departments of Ege University Hospital in Izmir, Turkey, included 209 patients (115 females, 94 males) 65 years or older, who had been admitted to the hospital for a variety of reasons between April 1, 2011, and October 1, 2011. The following tools were used to collect data: a data collection form to identify the sociodemographic and medical characteristics of the patients, the Braden Risk Assessment Scale to assess the risk of PrUs, and a form to monitor PrUs, which included the site of the PrU, the category, and the PUSH (Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing) score, a tool for tracking changes in PrUs status applied at weekly intervals. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 73 (6.4) years. The prevalence of PrUs was 5.8% during the hospital stay. Pressure ulcers appeared most frequently in the ischeal tuberosity area (40%), and 45.2% of all PrUs observed were category II. The comorbidities of the patients who had PrUs were as follows: rheumatoid arthritis, 40% (n = 5); acute renal failure, 24% (n = 3); multiple myeloma, 8% (n = 1); chronic renal failure, 8% (n = 1); pneumonia, 8% (n = 1); and acute lymphoblastic leukemia, 8% (n = 1). CONCLUSIONS: Pressure ulcers are a common healthcare complication in the older adult population, with potentially severe consequences. The most important intervention that healthcare professionals can make to reduce PrUs is to determine and address risk factors.