Validation of the Turkish Version of Rapid Geriatric Assessment in Hospitalized Older Adults: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

AIM: Rapid Geriatric Assessment is a practical screening tool for common geriatric syndromes that can be administered in under five minutes, even by inexperienced healthcare professionals. The study aimed to validate the Turkish version of the Rapid Geriatric Assessment in hospitalized older adults. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the internal medicine inpatient unit of a university hospital among patients aged ≥65 years. 145 patients were evaluated. The Rapid Geriatric Assessment includes four brief instruments (FRAIL, SARC-F, Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire, and Rapid Cognitive Screen) plus two items on incontinence and constipation. Comparator measures included the Clinical Frailty Scale, Mini Nutritional Assessment–Short Form, Mini-Mental State Examination, handgrip strength, Activities of Daily Living, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, Patient Health Questionnaire-2, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2 . RESULTS: A total of 145 patients (57.9% women, 74.7 ± 7.9 years) were included. Rapid Cognitive Screen, Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire, and FRAIL showed strong significant positive correlations with Mini-Mental State Examination (0.822; p < .001), Mini Nutritional Assessment–Short Form (0.703; p < .001), and Clinical Frailty Scale (0.626; p < .001), respectively, while SARC-F correlated strongly and negatively with handgrip strength (−0.625; p < .001). Discriminant validity was demonstrated for the incontinence item, which was significantly associated with higher Patient Health Questionnaire-2 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2 scores and lower Activities of Daily Living and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scores (all p < .001), constipation showed no associations. Convergent validity was supported by significant correlations of the frailty and sarcopenia domains with Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (r = 0.614 and r = −0.753, respectively; p < .001). CONCLUSION: The Turkish version of the Rapid Geriatric Assessment is valid and feasible for hospitalized older adults, supporting its use as a rapid screening tool for geriatric syndromes.