The Pictorial Fit-Frail Scale Malay Version (PFFS-M): Predictive Validity Testing in Malaysian Primary Care
S S Ahip1, O Theou, S Shariff-Ghazali
1Sally Suriani Ahip, Kota Samarahan Health Clinic, Jalan Datuk Mohammad Musa, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia, sally.ahip@gmail.com, Telephone: +60125880709, Fax number: +6082673632.
The Journal of Frailty & Aging
|February 2, 2024
Summary
The Pictorial Fit Frail Scale-Malay version (PFFS-M) effectively identifies older adults at risk for adverse outcomes. Frail individuals using PFFS-M showed a significantly higher risk of falls, disability, hospitalization, and mortality.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Primary Care Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Frailty is a significant predictor of adverse health outcomes in older adults.
- Early identification of frailty is crucial for timely intervention in primary care settings.
- Validated screening tools are needed to assess frailty in diverse populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the association between the Pictorial Fit Frail Scale-Malay version (PFFS-M) and adverse outcomes in Malaysian older adults.
- To determine if baseline PFFS-M scores predict falls, new disability, hospitalization, nursing home placement, or mortality.
- To assess the utility of PFFS-M in a primary care context for identifying at-risk elderly patients.
Main Methods:
- A prospective cohort study involving 197 patients aged 60 and older attending Malaysian public primary care clinics.
- Baseline assessment of frailty using the Pictorial Fit Frail Scale-Malay version (PFFS-M).
- Follow-up at 18 months via phone contact to ascertain the occurrence of adverse outcomes (falls, disability, hospitalization, mortality).
- Binary multivariable logistic regression analysis adjusted for age and gender was employed.
Main Results:
- 13.2% of participants experienced at least one adverse outcome over 18 months.
- Specific adverse outcomes included falls (2.5%), new disability/homebound status (1.5%), hospitalization (7.6%), and mortality (1.5%).
- Patients identified as at-risk of frailty (OR 5.97) and frail (OR 6.13) at baseline had significantly higher odds of experiencing adverse outcomes compared to non-frail individuals.
Conclusions:
- The Pictorial Fit Frail Scale-Malay version (PFFS-M) is a valuable tool for identifying older adults at increased risk of adverse health outcomes in Malaysian primary care.
- Baseline frailty status, as measured by PFFS-M, is strongly associated with subsequent falls, disability, hospitalization, and mortality.
- The PFFS-M can aid clinicians in proactive risk stratification and management of geriatric patients.
