Using the Study of Osteoporotic Fracture Frailty Index for Frailty Assessment in An Aging and Devoloping Country

Abstract

Objective: Frailty is one of the most important geriatric syndromes. In frailty, there is a cumulative decline in multiple physiological systems, a decrease in resistance to stress factors, resulting in vulnerability to adverse outcomes. In clinical practice, it is very important for physicians, especially those in the field of geriatrics, to recognize this syndrome. The aim of this study was to validate the Turkish version of the study of osteoporotic fracture (SOF) frailty index in geriatric population. Materials and Methods: This study was performed in a geriatric medicine outpatient clinic. The study was conducted with 267 patients aged 65 and over. Patients with acute disease, delirium, diagnosis of malignancy and who did not give informed consent were excluded from the study. Results: The median [interquartile range (IQR)] age of patients was 72 (68-78) and 64% of the participants were female. The median (IQR) SOF score was 1 (0-1). When frailty was examined within two groups [robust (robust + pre- frail) and frail group] the concordance of FRAIL and SOF score was strong (Cohen’s K: 0.652, p<0.001) and the concordance of CFS and SOF score was also strong (Cohen’s K: 0.611, p<0.001). Conclusion: The results showed that the Turkish version of the SOF index is a valid scale for determining frailty in outpatient clinics.