Research advances of perioperative frailty assessment tools

Frailty refers to the state of decreased physiological function reserve caused by the increase of age-related multisystemic accumulated defects. The number of elderly patients with frailty undergoing elective operations is gradually increasing. The stages of frailty have strong correlation with the prognosis and mortality after surgery. By summarizing the frailty assessment scales used in foreign countries, we provide reference to the selection of clinical frailty assessment tools in Chinese population. This article reviewed two frailty models (phenotype model and the cumulative deficit model) and three assessment tools [Simple Frailty Questionnaire (FRAIL), Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS) and Program on Research for Integrating Services for the Maintenance of Autonomy (PRISMA)- 7 Scale]. In addition, three assistant indexes [handgrip strength, gait speed and Timed Up-And-Go Test (TUGT)] are introduced. The present review provides reference for the studies on perioperative complications in patients with frailty. Key words: Aged; Frailty; Risk assessment