Home > An exploration of frailty in a non-geriatric population with severe and multiple disadvantage using two geriatric frailty tools.

Kennedy, Fiona and Ní Cheallaigh, Clíona and Romero-Ortuno, Roman and Murray, Deirdre and Behan, Feargal P and Broderick, Julie (2025) An exploration of frailty in a non-geriatric population with severe and multiple disadvantage using two geriatric frailty tools. Journal of Social Distress and Homelessness, 35, (1), pp. 232-243. https://doi.org/10.1080/10530789.2025.2528272.

External website: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10530...


Frailty is linked to age acceleration and results in adverse outcomes. While traditionally explored in geriatric populations, certain non-geriatric populations also experience frailty. This study’s aim was to explore frailty in a cohort of non-geriatric people experiencing homelessness and addiction using two frailty instruments. The SHARE-Frailty Instrument and Clinical Frailty Scale were utilized. Results indicated earlier onset and higher prevalence of frailty compared to geriatric populations. Both tools identified a frailty prevalence of 11.6%. Pre-frailty was threefold higher using the Clinical Frailty Scale. Linear regression identified associations between frailty and nutritional status, addiction status and gait speed. Binary logistic regression indicated poor nutritional status increased frailty odds fivefold (OR 5.49, p = 0.015) using the Clinical Frailty Scale, while increased gait speed decreased frailty odds (OR 0.05, p = 0.021) using the SHARE-Frailty Instrument. Fair inter-scale agreement [kw = 0.317, p = 0.001] was identified. Utility of both scales was demonstrated. This unique exploration of these frailty tools identified distinct dimensions of frailty, endorsing their use and complementarity to highlight the need for intervention. Identifying frailty and the pre-frailty syndrome, and factors which drive frailty critically elucidate the need for early targeted interventions such as exercise and nutrition to mitigate its affect in this population.

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