Table 3 List of variables used to construct the 50-item frailty index

SR

Stroke

0 = no; 0.33 = yes, not serious; 0.67 = yes, moderately serious; 1 = yes, very serious

Thyroid condition

Arthritis (rheumatoid and/or osteo-)

Osteoporosis

Cancer

Asthma

Migraines

Stomach ulcer

Kidney or bladder trouble

Gastrointestinal problems (colitis/diverticulitis, gall bladder trouble, and/or liver trouble)

Bronchitis or emphysema

Diabetes

High blood pressure

Sex-related health problems (i.e., gynecological problems or prostate problems)

Anemia

Drug and/or alcohol dependence

Spinal condition and/or back trouble

Hardening of arteries (i.e., atherosclerosis)

Heart trouble

Other conditions (up to three)

SR

Number of medications

0 = 0–3; 0.5 = 4–7; 1 = 8+

SR

Subjective health relative to a perfect state of health

0 = very good; 0.25 = good; 0.50 = fair; 0.75 = poor; 1 = very poor

Eyesight relative to age group

Hearing relative to age group

SR

Health has affected ability to do chores

0 = no change, improved, N/A; 0.25 = slightly reduced; 0.50 = moderately reduced; 0.75 = drastically reduced; 1 = gave up doing activity

Health has affected ability to get around town

Health has affected ability to do mental recreational activities

Health has affected ability to do physical recreational activities

Health has affected ability to do hobbies

Health has affected ability to socialize

Health has affected ability to travel

SR

Stay at home but in chair most of the time

0 = no; 1 = yes

SR

Number of times sick in bed all day in the past year

0 = 0–3; 1 = 4+

SR

Number of timse confined to hospital in the past year

0 = 0; 0.5 = 1–2; 3+ = 1

SR

Feeling short of breath

0 = no; 1 = yes

SR

Use of a walker, cane, or wheelchair

0 = no; 1 = yes

M

Resting heart rate (bpm)

0 = 60–99; 1 = < 60 or 100+

M

Pulse pressure (mmHg)

0 = 32.13–63.90; 0.5 = 64–75.9; 1 = 76+

M

Peak expiratory flow (L/min)

Men: 0 = > 340, 1 = ≤ 340

Women: 0 = > 310, 1 = ≤ 310

M

Body mass index (kg/m²)

0 = 18.5–25; 0.5 = 25 to < 30; 1 = < 18.5 or ≥ 30

M

Grip strength (kg)

Men: for BMI ≤ 24, GS ≤ 29; for BMI 24.1–28, GS ≤ 30; for BMI > 28, GS ≤ 32

Women: for BMI ≤ 23, GS ≤ 17; for BMI 23.1–26, GS ≤ 17.3; for BMI 26.1–29, GS ≤ 18; for BMI > 29, GS ≤ 21

M

Timed walk

0 = ≤ 10 s; 1 = > 10 s

M

Timed turn

0 = < 90th percentile; 1 = within the 90th percentile

M

Finger dexterity

0 = < 90th percentile; 1 = within the 90th percentile

SR

CES-D “during the past week, my sleep was restless”

0 = rarely or none of the time; 0.33 = some or a little of the time; 0.67 = occasionally or a moderate amount of the time; 1 = most or all of the time

SR

CES-D “during the past week, I felt depressed”

SR

CES-D “during the past week, I felt lonely”

SR

CES-D “during the past week, I could not get going”

SR

Bradburn negative affect (restless, lonely, bored, depressed, upset due to criticism)

0 = no to all; 0.2 = yes to one; 0.4 = yes to two; 0.6 = yes to three; 0.8 = yes to four; 1 = yes to all

SR

Physical activity at least 2–3 times per week

0 = yes; 1 = no