Mini Review - Journal of Aging and Geriatric Psychiatry (2025) Volume 9, Issue 3

Frailty: Geriatric syndrome, assessment, and management

Giuseppe Bellelli^*

Department of Neurology, University of Milano

*Corresponding Author:

Giuseppe Bellelli
Department of Neurology
University of Milano.
E-mail: Bellelli12@gmail.com

Received : 05-Aug-2025, Manuscript No. aaagp-25-205; Editor assigned : 07-Aug-2025, PreQC No. aaagp-25-205(PQ); Reviewed : 27-Aug-2025, QC No aaagp-25-205; Revised : 05-Sep-2025, Manuscript No. aaagp-25-205(R); Published : 16-Sep-2025 , DOI : 10.35841/aaagp-9.3.205

Citation: Bellelli G. Frailty: Geriatric syndrome, assessment, and managemen. J Age Geriat Psych. 2025;09(03):205.

Introduction

Frailty is a significant predictor of adverse clinical outcomes, especially for patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). It highlights a critical need for routine frailty assessments. These assessments are essential to improve risk stratification and guide treatment decisions effectively. Research confirms that frail patients face considerably higher mortality rates and major adverse cardiovascular events following PCI, emphasizing the severity of this condition [1].

Furthermore, frailty and sarcopenia are alarmingly prevalent in older adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD), exhibiting a strong, detrimental association that negatively impacts patient outcomes. This connection means early screening and targeted interventions for both conditions are crucial to lessen their combined adverse effects within the CKD population [2].

Addressing frailty effectively involves a wide array of interventions. Multifaceted approaches, particularly those integrating exercise, nutrition, and cognitive stimulation, have consistently shown the most promising results in prevention and management for older adults. This body of evidence underscores the importance of personalized and integrated care strategies to comprehensively combat frailty [3].

Frailty is also highly prevalent among older adults diagnosed with diabetes. This significantly escalates their risk of adverse health outcomes, including hospitalization, increased disability, and even mortality. Therefore, routine frailty screening in diabetic patients is critically important, as it facilitates early intervention and can substantially improve their overall prognosis [4].

The impact of frailty extends to hospital settings, where it serves as a major predictor of both initial hospitalization and subsequent readmission in older adults. It significantly influences both the length of their stay and the eventual clinical outcomes. Integrating frailty assessments into standard hospital admission protocols is thus crucial for identifying vulnerable patients and implementing targeted interventions for more effective post-discharge care [5].

Specific nutritional interventions, particularly protein and vitamin D supplementation, have demonstrated considerable potential in both preventing and treating frailty among community-dwelling older adults. These findings suggest that carefully tailored nutritional strategies could be a vital component of comprehensive frailty management programs, ultimately leading to improved physical function and enhanced overall well-being [6].

A complex bidirectional relationship exists between frailty and cognitive impairment, underpinned by shared mechanisms such as inflammation, oxidative stress, and vascular dysfunction. A deeper understanding of this intricate interconnectedness is absolutely vital for developing integrated assessment and intervention strategies. These strategies should address both physical and cognitive decline concurrently in older individuals [7].

For older patients living with cardiovascular disease (CVD), frailty presents with high prevalence and profound prognostic implications. It functions as a powerful, independent predictor of adverse outcomes. Integrating frailty assessments into routine cardiology practice could significantly optimize risk stratification and guide more individualized treatment decisions, thereby leading to improved patient care and better long-term health [8].

When it comes to assessing frailty in adults, a diverse range of measures is available, each possessing its own unique strengths and limitations. This highlights the necessity for careful selection, based on the specific clinical context and the objectives of any given research. A comprehensive overview of current assessment tools helps clinicians and researchers choose the most appropriate measures for accurate frailty identification, ensuring interventions are well-targeted [9].

Finally, Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) plays an indispensable role in identifying frailty and subsequently guiding effective rehabilitation strategies for older adults across various rehabilitation settings. Integrating CGA can pave the way for more personalized and effective rehabilitation plans, which ultimately improve functional outcomes and enhance the quality of life for frail patients, ensuring their needs are met holistically [10].

Conclusion

Frailty is a pervasive and critical geriatric syndrome that profoundly impacts older adults across a spectrum of health conditions and care settings. It significantly predicts adverse clinical outcomes, including increased mortality and major adverse events, particularly in high-risk populations such as those undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention and individuals with cardiovascular disease. The syndrome is highly prevalent among older adults with chronic kidney disease and diabetes, where it exacerbates risks like hospitalization, disability, and mortality. Frailty also shares an intricate, bidirectional relationship with cognitive impairment, linked by common pathophysiological mechanisms. Recognizing the widespread implications, the data consistently emphasizes the urgent need for routine frailty assessments. These assessments are crucial for improving risk stratification, guiding treatment decisions, and identifying vulnerable patients across various clinical environments, including hospital admissions and rehabilitation settings. Effective management of frailty necessitates multifaceted interventions. Promising strategies include combined approaches of exercise, nutrition—especially protein and vitamin D supplementation—and cognitive stimulation. Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) and a careful selection of frailty assessment tools are highlighted as essential for developing personalized, integrated care plans that aim to prevent and manage frailty, ultimately enhancing physical function, overall well-being, and quality of life for older adults.

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