A Clinical Review of the Classification and Management of Prefrailty in Older Adults

Abstract

Frailty is a clinical geriatric syndrome where loss of physical resiliency increases vulnerability to external stressors. Frailty is predictive of many adverse health outcomes. Frailty exists across a spectrum where prefrailty is an intermediary, subclinical state of frailty. Evidence suggests that it is easier to reverse prefrailty states than to reverse established frailty, and therefore may be an ideal target for preventative interventions. This narrative review discusses clinical methods of identifying individuals with prefrailty, and interventions shown to be effective in improving frailty status in older adults.