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AD8 is one of the fast, simple, and sensitive screening methods for detecting both minor and major cognitive impairments. With regard to these features, it can be used in older adults attending the primary care settings with memory complaints.

GDS-15 is the most powerful screening scale for geriatric depression. GDS-4 and GDS-5 are not eligible for depression screening in Turkish older adults. All new short scales are valid and reliable, and TGDS-4 is a practical, less time-consuming option for daily practice.

Aim The Kihon Checklist (KCL) was developed to identify vulnerable older adults residing in Japan who are at a high risk of becoming dependent. The present study aimed to determine the validity of the KCL for detecting frailty in Turkish older adults. Methods A total of 300 outpatients were enrolled in the study. All patients underwent comprehensive geriatric assessment and completed a Turkish translation of the KCL. Frailty status was defined by five dimensions, including weight loss, exhaustion, low levels of activity, weakness and slowness: 0 for robust, 1–2 for prefrail and 3–5 for frail. Results The mean age of the patients was 73.85 ± 7.12 years. According to Fried definitions, 25.7% were considered frail, 48.0% prefrail and 26.3% robust. There was a significant difference between the groups in terms of age, sex, education, Charlson's Comorbidity Index, the number of medications used, sarcopenia, dynapenia and all the comprehensive geriatric assessment parameters (P < 0.05). Cronbach's α value of the KCL was 0.876. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve was 0.855 for frail, and 0.697 for prefrail. We found that the KCL can show frail and prefrail older adults when the cut‐off values are ≥9 and ≥ 4, respectively, with a sensitivity of 80.52% and 65.28%, and specificity of 81.17% and 56.96%. Conclusions The KCL can be used as a quick, simple and sensitive screening method for detecting frailty among Turkish older adults. We recommend its use by healthcare professionals in Turkey in order to identify frail older adults and direct them to relevant support. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 616–621.

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OBJECTIVE:Frailty is associated with recurrent falls, fractures, limitation of daily living activities, cognitive impairment, increase in hospitalization, placement in nursing home, and mortality rate in older adults. Although malnutrition is one of the most important etiological factors, role of micronutrients is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate association between frailty and vitamin B12, which has been demonstrated to be related to numerous geriatric syndromes.METHODS:Total of 335 patients who presented at geriatric outpatient clinic and underwent comprehensive geriatric assessment were included in this study. All patients were evaluated with both Fatigue, Resistance, Ambulation, Illnesses, and Loss of Weight (FRAIL) scale and Fried criteria for frailty. Vitamin B12 deficiency was defined as serum vitamin B12 level of less than 400 pg/mL.RESULTS:In total of 335 patients, 88 (26.3%) were assessed as frail, 156 (46.6%) were prefrail, and 91 (27.2%) were robust. When the 3 groups were compared, it was found that patients in frail group had highest average age and lowest education level (p<0.001) and that complaints of urinary incontinence, balance disorders, recurrent falls, sleep disorders, amnesia, chronic pain, and constipation were more frequent in this group (p<0.05). Albumin and 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels decreased as frailty level increased (p<0.05), but no association between vitamin B12 levels and frailty was found. Patients were divided into 2 groups: vitamin B12 level above and below 400 pg/mL. Groups were then compared in terms of subparameters of both the FRAIL and Fried criteria, and no significant difference between groups was found (p>0.05).CONCLUSION:Results of this study determined no association between vitamin B12 level and frailty in geriatric population; however, longitudinal studies are needed to clarify relationship.

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