Dihua Wu, Emily H Gordon, Sarah Martin, Olivia P Demichelis, Vivian Kwok, Ruth E Hubbard, Allison Jaure, Karine Manera, Marcel Olde Rikkert, Jean Woo, Sarah N Hilmer, Kristiana Ludlow
From 74 included studies, 545 outcomes were identified and categorised into 43 domains. Among 545 outcomes, physical performance was the most frequently reported domain (n = 69, 12.7%), followed by mortality/survival (n = 43, 7.9%) and quality of life (QoL) (n = 36, 6.6%). Of the 74 included studies, mortality/survival was reported in 33 studies (44.6%), followed by physical performance (n = 27; 36.5%), and QoL (n = 26; 35.1%). Nearly half of the domains (44.2%) were measured in only one to three studies, including those directly related to the hospital experience. Of the 545 outcomes, 141 (25.9%) were classified as patient-reported outcomes.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Many interventions have been developed to improve outcomes for frail inpatients. No reviews have comprehensively mapped out these outcomes. This paper aims to assess the range and consistency of outcomes reported in interventional studies involving frail adult inpatients and identify whether the outcomes were patient-reported.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A systematic review of interventional studies involving frail adult inpatients from 2000 to 2026 was conducted, using the following databases: MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL). All reported outcomes were extracted and catalogued to assess reporting range and consistency.
RESULTS: From 74 included studies, 545 outcomes were identified and categorised into 43 domains. Among 545 outcomes, physical performance was the most frequently reported domain (n = 69, 12.7%), followed by mortality/survival (n = 43, 7.9%) and quality of life (QoL) (n = 36, 6.6%). Of the 74 included studies, mortality/survival was reported in 33 studies (44.6%), followed by physical performance (n = 27; 36.5%), and QoL (n = 26; 35.1%). Nearly half of the domains (44.2%) were measured in only one to three studies, including those directly related to the hospital experience. Of the 545 outcomes, 141 (25.9%) were classified as patient-reported outcomes.
DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: There was heterogeneity and inconsistency in outcomes reported across interventional studies involving frail inpatients. This limits comparability and synthesis of study findings. The development of a core outcome set informed by the priorities of patients and caregivers, alongside healthcare professionals, would enhance the consistency, relevance, and quality of frailty research and better support patient-centred care.