Although the frailty phenotype entails simple questions and simple tasks, its administration and meaningfulness may sometimes result problematic (Cesari M, 2013).

 

For example, the evaluation of muscle strength and gait speed is not always doable, especially in primary care, due to the lack of dynamometers and/or space/time to assess gait speed.
 

Where a dynamometer is not available, the GP may estimate the value of muscle  grip strength to be greater or less than 20% of the strength expected for an individual of similar size (similar Body Mass Index).
 

Specific conditions (such as dis­ability or cognitive impairment) may affect the reliability or clinical utility of the frailty phenotype results.

In particular, disabling conditions may affect the predictive value of the phenotype for negative health-related events due to a sort of ‘ceiling effect’ imposed on the individual's capabilities (Wou F, 2013).

 

Frailty Phenotype Template

Assessment of presence of frailty