Table 1 FRAIL scale items

Fatigue

1. “Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by feeling tired or having little energy?” 0 = Not at all, 1 = Several days, 2 = More than half the days, 3 = Nearly every day

Responses of “2” or “3” are scored as 1 and all others as 0.

or

2. “Over the last 4 weeks, how often have you been bothered by getting tired very easily?”

0 = Not at all, 1 = Several days, 2 = More than half the days, 3 = Nearly every day

Responses of “2” or “3” are scored as 1 and all others as 0.

Resistance

1. Stairs in Activities of Daily Living

1 = Unable to climb stairs, 2 = Assistance is required in all aspects of stair climbing, 3 = Able to ascent/descend but is unable to carry walking aids, and needs supervision and assistance, 4 = Generally no assistance is required, 5 = Able to go up and down a flight of stairs safely without help or supervision

Responses of “1”, “2” or “3” are scored as 1 and all others as 0.

or

2. “How much difficulty do you have in going up & down a flight of stairs without using handrail?”

5 = None, 4 = A little, 3 = Some, 2 = Quite a lot, 1 = Cannot do

Responses of “1” or “2” are scored as 1 and all others as 0.

Ambulation

1. Ambulation in Activities of Daily Living

1 = Dependent in ambulation, 2 = Constant presence of one or more assistants is required during ambulation, 3 = Assistance is required with reaching aids and/or their manipulation. One person is required to offer assistance, 4 = Independent in ambulation but unable to walk 50 yards/metres without help, or supervision is needed for confidence or safety in hazardous situations, 5 = Must be able to use crutches, canes, or a walker, and walk 50 m/yards without help or supervision.

Responses of “1”, “2”, “3” or “4” are scored as 1.

or

2. “How much difficulty do you have in walking around one floor of your home, taking into consideration thresholds, doors, furniture, and a variety of floor coverings?”

5 = None, 4 = A little, 3 = Some, 2 = Quite a lot, 1 = Cannot do

Responses of “1” or “2” are scored as 1 and all others as 0.

or

3. “How much difficulty do you have waling several blocks?”

5 = None, 4 = A little, 3 = Some, 2 = Quite a lot, 1 = Cannot do

Responses of “1” or “2” are scored as 1 and all others as 0.

Illnesses

“Have you ever been told to have any of these conditions by a Western-trained doctor?” The conditions include diabetes, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, heart failure, stroke / transient ischaemic attacks, asthma, chronic bronchitis/ emphysema/COPD, chronic kidney disease, cancer, osteoarthritis/gout/rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, dementia/Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia, Parkinson)

1 = Yes, 0 = No

Responses of “1” are scored as 1.

Malnutrition

1. Body Mass Index < 18.5or

2. Screening score of the Mini Nutritional Assessment < 8 or total score < 17