LAUSR

Abstract Background and objectives There are multiple frailty detection tools, but they have not been specifically developed for the institutionalized population. The aim of this study is to ascertain at 3-year follow-up which tool predicts functional impairment and mortality most precisely. Methods Longitudinal cohort study with 110 patients in Pamplona (Navarra) >65 years. Four frailty tools were applied (Fried Criteria, Rockwood Frailty Scale, FRAIL-NH and Imputed Fried Frailty Criteria). The power of the association between the scales and the results was assessed by linear regression and Cox's analyses. Results 46.5% of the sample died during time to follow-up, 68% of whom died in their nursing home, with 43-month mean survival. Of the studied population, 71.3% showed disability at 3 years, especially the frail subjects. The robust patients had longer hospitalizations (m = 3.4 days) than the frail. Imputed Fried and FRAIL-NH found statistically significant differences between groups for the variables studied. Imputed Fried Frailty Criteria showed a significant HR of death for the frail subjects (HR = 3.3). Conclusions The Imputed Fried and FRAIL-NH tools showed a higher predictive capability for functional and cognitive decline, but only the Imputed Fried Frailty Criteria found a significant relationship between frailty and mortality.