Incorporating the Clinical Frailty Scale into routine outpatient nephrology practice: an observational study of feasibility and associations

Background There is an unmet need for routine and accurate prognostication of older adults with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and subsequently inadequate advance care planning. Frailty, a clinical syndrome of increased vulnerability, is predictive of adverse health outcomes in the renal population. We propose the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) as a feasible tool for routine use in the nephrology outpatient setting to address this unmet need. Aims To assess feasibility and associations of incorporating CFS assessment into routine outpatient nephrology practice in the pre-dialysis setting. Methods CFS was integrated into the outpatient nephrology clinic proforma. A convenience sample of 138 patients aged >50 years, with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <30 mL/min/1.73 m(2), attending the outpatient service between September 2018 and April 2019 was included. Results Eighty-one CFS assessments were completed by nephrologists, nephrology advanced trainees and clinical nurse specialists. CFS completion rates were 79% from the multidisciplinary Low Clearance Clinic and 41% from nurse-led Pre-dialysis Education Clinic. Planned modality of ESKD management varied with degree of frailty (P < 0.001). 21% of patients who had CFS completed were planned for Conservative Management of ESKD, in contrast to only 5% of those who did not have CFS assessment completed (P < 0.001). Conclusion Frailty assessment via CFS was feasible in outpatient practice when integrated into routine clinical assessment in a dedicated clinic. Planned ESKD management varied with the degree of frailty. Completion of frailty assessment, when compared with non-completion, appears to be associated with increased planned conservative management of ESKD.