Use of the Tilburg frailty indicator in longitudinal studies with older adults: A scoping review

Abstract

Aim: To understand how researchers applied the Tilburg Frailty Indicator (TFI) to older adults. The use of the TFI was examined based on the Integral Conceptual Model of Frailty (ICMF).

Design: A scoping review.

Data sources: A database search was conducted without a time limit in PubMed, CINAHL, Embase and the Cochrane library. A hand search was also conducted.

Review methods: Research questions were developed based on the population-concept-context framework suggested by the Joanna Briggs Institute (2017). Studies were included if topics were related to the use of the TFI or ICMF and designs were longitudinal studies.

Results: A total of 37 studies met the inclusion criteria. Studies were reviewed according to the tested pathways of the ICMF: determinants of frailty or adverse outcomes, adverse outcomes of frailty and comparison of predictive power between frailty measures.

Conclusion: The TFI is a useful tool to screen for frailty and predict health outcomes in older adults. Among the pathways of the ICMF, relationships between social factors and frailty were reported in several studies. Despite this relationship, social factors were considered as items to assess the social domain of frailty rather than determinants of frailty. The predictive power of the TFI was not superior to other frailty measures, but it had a high sensitivity.

Impact: This study demonstrates the usability of the TFI in older adults living in various conditions. Further studies are required to identify more effective ways to screen frailty using the TFI.

Patient or public contribution: No patient or public involvement in this study.