Clinicians and researchers have shown increasing interest in frailty. Yet, there is still considerable uncertainty regarding the concept and its definition. In this article, we present perspectives on key issues and controversies discussed by scientists from 13 different countries, representing a diverse range of disciplines, at the 2006 Second International Working Meeting on Frailty and Aging. The following fundamental questions are discussed: What is the distinction, if any, between frailty and aging? What is its relationship with chronic disease? Is frailty a syndrome or a series of age-related impairments that predict adverse outcomes? What are the critical domains in its operational definition? Is frailty a useful concept? The implications of different models and approaches are examined. Although consensus has yet to be attained, work accomplished to date has opened exciting new horizons. The article concludes with suggested directions for future research.

Article:Carroll, C. orcid.org/0000-0002-6361-6182, Hummel, S., Leaviss, J. orcid.org/0000-0002-5632-6021 et al. (4 more ReuseUnless indicated otherwise, fulltext items are protected by copyright with all rights reserved. The copyright exception in section 29 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 allows the making of a single copy solely for the purpose of non-commercial research or private study within the limits of fair dealing. The publisher or other rights-holder may allow further reproduction and re-use of this version -refer to the White Rose Research Online record for this item. Where records identify the publisher as the copyright holder, users can verify any specific terms of use on the publisher's website. TakedownIf you consider content in White Rose Research Online to be in breach of UK law, please notify us by emailing eprints@whiterose.ac.uk including the URL of the record and the reason for the withdrawal request. Type of publication: Review Keywords:Systematic review, cost-effectiveness, varicose veins, health technology assessment AbstractBackground:

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La fragilité est un concept nouveau, controversé et énigmatique. Les chercheurs, les décideurs ainsi que les prestataires de soins de santé ont constaté l’impact de la fragilité sur les personnes atteintes, sur leur famille, notamment sur les soignants, et sur la société. Au cours des deux dernières décennies, la documentation traitant de la fragilité s’est fait de plus en plus abondante. Toutefois, il n’existe toujours pas de définition et de critères universellement reconnus pour décrire la fragilité, et il y a peu d’informations concernant la qualité des résultats de recherche ayant trait au concept. L’Initiative canadienne sur la fragilité et le vieillissement a été mise en œuvre afin de favoriser une meilleure compréhension des causes, des conséquences et de la trajectoire de la fragilité. Elle a aussi pour but d’accroître la qualité de vie des personnes âgées à risques de devenir fragiles par la diffusion d’informations sur la prévention, le dépistage et le traitement de la fragilité ainsi que sur l’organisation efficace des services. La première phase de l’Initiative consiste à effectuer une vaste revue systématique de la littérature sur la fragilité afin de faire la synthèse de l’état actuel de la recherche en vue d’élaborer un modèle provisoire et d’établir les priorités de recherche qui pourraient être utilisées pour l’élaboration d’un programme de recherche. Le modèle provisoire de la fragilité se veut intégrative tenant compte des facteurs biologiques, sociaux, cliniques, psychologiques et environnementaux qui interagissent tout au long de la vie d’une personne et qui peuvent faire en sorte qu’elle vieillisse ou non sainement, retardant ou favorisant l’apparition de la fragilité.