The Paulson–Lichtenberg Frailty Index: evidence for a self-report measure of frailty

Abstract

Objectives: This study evaluates the Paulson–Lichtenberg Frailty Index (PLFI), a self-report measure that is based on Fried's well-established frailty phenotype. The PLFI is examined using longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) database, for which it was developed.Methods: The sample was drawn from the HRS and included 8844 community-dwelling older adults. Frailty was measured using the PLFI's five-item frailty index (wasting, weakness, slowness, falls, and fatigue).Results: In comparison to intermediate-frail or non-frail respondents, frail respondents were found to be older, more medically compromised, and less independent for activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). On average, frail respondents reported worse self-rated health and had fewer years of education. Women, ethnic minorities, and those who were not partnered were also more likely to be frail. Over subsequent years, frail respondents were more likely to be hospitalized, report more loss of independence, and experience higher mortality rates.Conclusions: The PLFI is a valid tool for assessing frailty in the HRS data set.

Keywords:

• aging
• decline
• measurement
• health outcomes

Additional information

Funding

This work was generously supported by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation [1680.SAP]; and by the T32 grant-supported NIH Pre-Doctoral Training Program in Aging and Urban Health at the Institute of Gerontology [grant number T-32 AG00275-06].