Frailty: A Multidimensional Biopsychosocial Syndrome

Med Clin North Am. 2023 Jan;107(1):183-197. doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2022.04.006. Epub 2022 Oct 28.

Abstract

The original conceptual landscape of frailty has evolved into a complex, multidimensional biopsychosocial syndrome. This has broadened the field to now include social and behavioral scientists and clinicians from a wide range of specialties. This article aims to provide an updated overview of this conceptual change by examining the emerging definitions of physical, cognitive, social, and psychological frailty; the tools used for diagnosis and assessment of these domains; the epidemiology of the domains; their pathogenesis, risk factors, and course; frameworks for prevention and treatment; and unresolved issues affecting the field.

Keywords: Cognitive frailty; Frailty; Psychological frailty; Social frailty.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Frail Elderly / psychology
  • Frailty* / diagnosis
  • Frailty* / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Syndrome