New tool more accurately predicts frailty to support greater independence as people age
A new tool, The Electronic Frailty Index 2 (eFI2), created as a result of NIHR funding into research led by the University of Leeds, has begun to be used in primary care, with 3 in 5 GPs in England able to access it through Optum (formerly known as EMIS) software.
The researchers behind the tool, which is an update on the Electronic Frailty Index (eFI), say that eFI2 can more accurately predict older people’s risks of living with frailty, and supports GP’s to intervene earlier to promote better outcomes for their patients.
The variables used by the eF12 algorithm include dementia, falls and fractures, weight loss and how many regular prescriptions a person has. These are then used to predict which groups of people are more likely to be living with frailty, with GP’s then using their clinical judgement to personalise the care of each individual.
Andrew Clegg, NIHR Research Professor and study lead, says:
“This landmark health data study, funded by the NIHR, is a major step forward in transforming health and social care services for older people with frailty. The eFI2 is a significant improvement on the original eFI and will be extremely valuable for helping GPs identify older people living with frailty so that they can be provided with personalised treatments to prevent costly loss of independence and falls in older age.”
Read more about the eF12 research in Age and Ageing journal here: https://academic.oup.com/ageing/article/54/4/afaf077/8101467