Table 2 Creation of Frailty Index from assessment tools

Cumulative Index Scale-Geriatrics (CIRS-G)

Confirmed criterion validity [27], good concurrent construct and validity [27], intrarater reliability r = 0.83 and interrater reliability r = 0.81[27, 28]

• Comorbidities coded as deficit (=1) for each comorbidity up to a maximum of 12

Malnutrition Screening Tool (MST)

Sensitivity 100% [29]; specificity 81–92% [29]; PPV 0.4–0.8[29]; NPV = 1.0[29]; IRR good [29]

• BMI Weight (kg)/Height (m²) outside normal range (< 22 or > 27) = 1

• Weight loss ≥6 kg = 1

• Decreased appetite = 1

Standardised Mini-mental State (SMMSE)

Reliability α = 0.65–0.732[30]; sensitivity 91% [31]; specificity 91% [31]

• Cognitive impairment

- Mild (MMSE 20–25) = 0.5

- Moderate/severe (MMSE< 20) = 1

Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)

Sensitivity 96% [31] and specificity 88% [31]

• GDS score ≥ 5 = 1

Modified Barthel Index (MBI)

Criterion and construct validity established [32]; test-retest reliability r = 0.7[32]; inter-rater reliability r = 0.99[32]

• ADL (personal hygiene, bathing, feeding, toileting, stairs, dressing, ambulation, transfers)

- Minimal help required = 0.5

- Moderate help required /Unable to do = 1

• Continence (bowel and bladder)

- Minimal help required = 0.5

- Moderate help required /Unable to do = 1

Lawton IADL Scale (IADL)

Inter-rater reliability r = 0.85[33]; reliability α = 0.86[33]

• IADL (phone use, shopping, food preparation, house- keeping, laundry, transport, medications, finances)

- Minimal help required = 0.5

- Moderate help required /Unable to do = 1

Vulnerable Elders Survey-13

Validity established [15]; reliability α = 0.90[15]; sensitivity 90% and specificity 70% [15]

• Self-rated health fair/poor = 1

• Physical performance measures (stooping, lifting, reaching, writing, walking, housework)

- A little/some difficulty

- A lot of difficulty/Unable to do