Pilot study protocol: Developing a frailty index

which have investigated frailty, and its determinants. Themajority of the studies available have been conducted in NorthAmerica, Mexico, and Canada. Studies within the EuropeanUnion have been sporadic and limited. These studies all focusedon profoundly frail and old participants; failing to address theissue of understanding the full spectrum of frailty. Thesecountries differ to Wales with regards to financial, health andsocial determinants including alcoholism, drug abuse and obesitylevels. Less developed countries suffer childhood diseases such asdiphtheria and polio, which are still prevalent causing disability.Prevalence data specific to Wales with regard to the age anddeterminants of frailty are not available. Reference [1] produceda screening tool to determine a person’s frailty status. Typicalcategories are non frail = 0 deficit, pre-frail = 1-2, deficits andfrail = 3-5 deficits [1]. The Fried screening tool is widely used toidentify physical manifestations of frailty to predict disability anddeath. However, the screening tool developed by Fried [1] doesnot include psychological or cognitive components [2]. Morerecent research into the concept of frailty have recommendedinclusion of cognitive impairment to improve the predictivevalidity of the Fried [1] screening tool for adverse healthoutcomes [3]. Therefore, consensus on a universal definition andmeasure remains elusive. Subsequently recommendationshighlighting the need for a frailty index to enable identification ofthose who are frail have been put forward: to promote health,well-being and subsequent healthy ageing. This pilot study willassess process and procedure prior to the full study of which it isanticipated will identify which determinants predict frailty, andthe domains of frailty (physical, psychological, social andcognitive) within a sample of people over the age of 18 years inorder to develop a frailty index.Aim: To pilot test the methods, methodologies and procedures togather the information needed to develop an operational frailtyindex in Wales prior to applications for ethical approval for thefull study