A Delphi consensus-based frailty screening scale for community-dwelling older adults in China

Abstract

Background: Frailty is a multidimensional condition with increasing relevance in aging populations. However, most existing screening tools used in China are either translated from Western instruments or designed for clinical settings, limiting their cultural and practical applicability for community-based screening. This study aims to develop a multifaceted frailty screening scale tailored to the needs of community-dwelling older adults in China. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to identify high-frequency and high-relevance frailty-related items. Based on these findings, a two-round Delphi survey involving 16 experts in geriatrics, public health, and clinical epidemiology was undertaken to refine, evaluate, and finalize the item pool. Results: Based on systematic review and Delphi expert consensus, a 22-item screening tool was developed covering physical, psychological, functional, nutritional, medication-related, and social domains. Conclusions: The Frailty Screening Scale (FSS) demonstrates good content basis and contextual adaptability as a brief frailty screening tool for community-dwelling older adults in China.It may serve as a complementary tool alongside existing frailty assessment instruments.