title: The Paulson-Lichtenberg Frailty Index: evidence for a self-report measure of frailty.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluates the Paulson-Lichtenberg Frailty Index (PLFI), a self-report measure that is based on Fried's well-established frailty phenotype. The PLFI is examined using longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) database, for which it was developed.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample was drawn from the HRS and included 8844 community-dwelling older adults. Frailty was measured using the PLFI's five-item frailty index (wasting, weakness, slowness, falls, and fatigue).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In comparison to intermediate-frail or non-frail respondents, frail respondents were found to be older, more medically compromised, and less independent for activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). On average, frail respondents reported worse self-rated health and had fewer years of education. Women, ethnic minorities, and those who were not partnered were also more likely to be frail. Over subsequent years, frail respondents were more likely to be hospitalized, report more loss of independence, and experience higher mortality rates.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The PLFI is a valid tool for assessing frailty in the HRS data set.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , University of Central Florida , Orlando , FL , USA.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Paulson
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Lichtenberg
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D005221:Fatigue; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D057566:Self Report; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016138:Walking
keywords: aging; decline; health outcomes; measurement