Higher Clinical Frailty Scale Score Research Articles

End-of-Life Preference Lists as an Advance Care Planning Tool for Japanese People.

Advance care planning (ACP) is important to determine the wishes of patients before they lose decision-making capacity. However, Japanese people are often reluctant to have end-of-life discussions. This study aims to develop and categorize an end-of-life preference list in the Japanese context to encourage dialog about ACP for healthcare providers and patients. A questionnaire was developed with end-of-life choices prioritized by a sample of Japanese subjects. Data were collected either in person or by mail. The list of Japanese preferences was compiled and categorized into four domains: medical care, life and care, relationships, and values, with 11-12 items in each domain. The highest-ranking items chosen by >70% of participants were in the relationships and values domains. Subjects with two cohabitants tended to be biased toward the "with others" group, focused on spending time with others, whereas those with older age and higher clinical frailty scale scores tended to be biased toward the "how to live" group.

Personalised Assessment and Rapid Intervention in Frail Patients With Lung Cancer: The Impact of an Outpatient Occupational Therapy Service

IntroductionLung cancer and its treatments cause or accelerate frailty, detrimentally affecting function and quality of life. Occupational therapists (OTs) provide global assessments and interventions, but services are often available for inpatients. The impact of holistic assessment and early intervention in the outpatient setting is unknown. Materials and MethodsA tertiary cancer center in North East England piloted a Lung Cancer Outpatient OT Service for patients with thoracic malignancy and a Clinical Frailty Scale Score (CFS) ≥ 5. Service effectiveness was evaluated through calculation of admission avoidance, hospital length-of-stay reduction, completion/impact of advance care planning and patient/family feedback. Demographics, frailty level, required interventions, and onward referrals were recorded. ResultsA total of 153 patients (median age of 71 (range 46-90) received OT assessment and intervention. 48% were in the lowest socioeconomic quintile. Median CFS score was 5 (mildly frail (range: 4-7)) at initial assessment. Total of 918 interventions were delivered (median: 5, IQR: 3-7, Range 0-22). 48% of patients engaged in future planning (national average: 10%-15% P < .0001) and 78.5% achieved preferred place of death (national average 30%). An estimated 37 hospital admissions were avoided. In admitted patients, average inpatient stay when known to the service was 6.5 days less than other frail lung cancer patients in our unit (95% CI 4-9.1 days P < .0001). Higher CFS was associated with poor survival (P < .05). ConclusionOutpatient OT services can avoid and shorten hospital admissions through advance care planning, management of functional disruption, onward referral to other allied health professionals and palliative care. A comprehensive multidisciplinary outpatient service may benefit patients further and should be the focus of future research.

Frailty Assessed by the Clinical Frailty Scale is Associated with Prognosis After Esophagectomy

The Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) is a simple and validated tool for assessing frailty, and higher CFS scores are correlated with worse perioperative outcomes after cardiovascular surgery. However, the relationship between the CFS scores and postoperative outcomes after esophagectomy remain unclear. We retrospectively analyzed data from 561 patients with esophageal cancer (EC) who underwent resection from August 2010 to August 2020. We defined a CFS score of ≥4 as indicative of frailty; thus, patients were classified into frail patients (CFS scores of ≥4) and non-frail patients (CFS scores of ≤3). The Kaplan-Meier method was used to describe the overall survival (OS) distributions with the log-rank test. Of the 561 patients, 90 (16%) had frailty and 471 (84%) did not. Frail patients had a significantly older age, lower body mass index, higher American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification, and greater cancer progression than non-frail patients. The 5-year survival rate was 68% in non-frail patients and 52% in frail patients. OS was significantly shorter in frail than non-frail patients (p=0.017 by log-rank test). In particular, OS was significantly shorter in frail patients with clinical stage I-II EC (p=0.0024 by log-rank test) but was not correlated with frailty in patients with clinical stage III-IV EC (p=0.87 by log-rank test). Preoperative frailty was associated with shorter OS after resection of EC. The CFS score may be a prognostic biomarker for patients with EC, especially early-stage EC.

Predictors for the Transitions of Poor Clinical Outcomes Among Geriatric Rehabilitation Inpatients.

To investigate the associations of morbidity burden and frailty with the transitions between functional decline, institutionalization, and mortality. REStORing health of acutely unwell adulTs (RESORT) is an ongoing observational, longitudinal inception cohort and commenced on October 15, 2017. Consented patients were followed for 3months postdischarge. Consecutive geriatric rehabilitation inpatients admitted to geriatric rehabilitation wards. Patients' morbidity burden was assessed at admission using the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (CIRS). Frailty was assessed using the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) and modified Frailty Index based on laboratory tests (mFI-lab). A multistate model was applied at 4 time points: 2weeks preadmission, admission, and discharge from geriatric rehabilitation and 3months postdischarge, with the following outcomes: functional decline, institutionalization, and mortality. Cox proportional hazards regression was applied to investigate the associations of morbidity burden and frailty with the transitions between outcomes. The 1890 included inpatients had a median age of 83.4 (77.6-88.4) years, and 56.3% were female. A higher CCI score was associated with a greater risk of transitions from preadmission and declined functional performance to mortality [hazard ratio (HR) 1.28, 95% CI 1.03-1.59; HR 1.32, 95% CI 1.04-1.67]. A higher CIRS score was associated with a higher risk of not recovering from functional decline (HR 0.80, 95% CI 0.69-0.93). A higher CFS score was associated with a greater risk of transitions from preadmission and declined functional performance to institutionalization (HR 1.28, 95% CI 1.10-1.49; HR 1.23, 95% CI 1.04-1.44) and mortality (HR 1.12, 95% CI 1.01-1.33; HR 1.11, 95% CI 1.003-1.31). The mFI-lab was not associated with any of the transitions. None of the morbidity measures or frailty assessment tools were associated with the transitions from institutionalization to other outcomes. This study demonstrates that greater frailty severity, assessed using the CFS, is a significant risk factor for poor clinical outcomes and demonstrates the importance of implementing it in the geriatric rehabilitation setting.

Association of Frailty, Organ Support, and Long-Term Survival in Critically Ill Patients With COVID-19.

OBJECTIVES:Few studies have explored the effect of frailty on the long-term survival of COVID-19 patients after ICU admission. Furthermore, the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) validity in critical care patients remains debated. We investigated the association between frailty and 6-month survival in critically ill COVID-19 patients. We also explored whether ICU resource utilization varied according to frailty status and examined the concurrent validity of the CFS in this setting.DESIGN:Ancillary study of a longitudinal prospective cohort.SETTING:University hospital in São Paulo.PATIENTS:Patients with severe COVID-19 admitted to ICU.INTERVENTIONS:None.MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:We assessed baseline frailty using the CFS (1–9; frail ≥ 5) and used validated procedures to compute a Frailty Index (0–1; frail > 0.25). We used Cox models to estimate associations of frailty status with 6-month survival after ICU admission and area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) to estimate CFS’s accuracy in identifying frailty according to Frailty Index. We included 1,028 patients (mean age, 66 yr; male, 61%). Overall, 224 (22%) patients were frail (CFS ≥ 5), and 608 (59%) died over the 6-month follow-up. Frailty was independently associated with lower 6-month survival and further stratified mortality in patients with similar age and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores. We additionally verified that the CFS was highly accurate in identifying frailty as defined by the Frailty Index (AUC, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.89–0.93). Although treatment modalities did not diverge according to frailty status, higher CFS scores were associated with withholding organ support due to refractory organ failure.CONCLUSIONS:One in five COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU was frail. CFS scores greater than or equal to 5 were associated with lower long-term survival and decisions on withholding further escalation of invasive support for multiple organ failure in the ICU. Clinicians should consider frailty alongside sociodemographic and clinical measures to have a fuller picture of COVID-19 prognosis in critical care.

Prognostic importance of the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score in patients undergoing cardiac resynchronisation therapy

AimsMalnutrition is common and associated with worse clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF). The Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score is an integrated index for evaluating diverse aspects of...

Prevalence and impact of fracture on postmenopausal women with aortic stenosis who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Information regarding fracture in patients with transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is limited. We investigated the prevalence and impact of fracture in patients with severe aortic stenosis who had undergone TAVR. Of 913 consecutive patients with symptomatic, severe aortic stenosis who underwent TAVR at the Sakakibara Heart Institute between October 2013 and April 2020, 633 women were enrolled. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality following TAVR. Patients with a history of fracture displayed smaller body mass indices, increased frailty, a higher prevalence of osteoporosis, and stroke history. Notably, 61.7% of patients with a history of fracture reported to have not taken any osteoporosis medications. Estimated all-cause mortality survival rates post-TAVR were significantly lower in patients with fractures than those without fractures. In the multivariate analysis, history of fracture was independently associated with all-cause mortality following TAVR. Furthermore, fracture prevalence was significantly greater in those who had a higher clinical frailty scale score were slower in the 5-m walk test, had more severe dementia as per the revised Hasegawa dementia scale, and performed poorly in the hand grip strength test. History of fracture was an independent predictor for all-cause mortality in patients undergoing TAVR. In addition, our study demonstrated that osteoporotic fracture may be under-treated in this population. History of fracture may be one of the phenotypes of frailty given its significant relationship with frailty markers in this population.

B-PO05-185 CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CONTROLLING NUTRITIONAL STATUS (CONUT) SCORE IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING CARDIAC RESYNCHRONIZATION THERAPY

The Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score is an index of nutritional status. Malnutrition has recently been reported to be a common condition that is associated with adverse prognosis in patients with heart failure (HF). However, the relationship between nutritional status and clinical outcomes in patients with HF undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is unclear. We investigated the prognostic value of the CONUT score in CRT recipients. Clinical records were retrospectively evaluated for 263 patients who underwent CRT implantation between March 2003 and August 2020. Blood samples were collected before CRT implantation. Nutritional status was assessed using the CONUT score. Patients were divided into three groups by CONUT score: normal group (CONUT score 0-1, n=56), mild malnutrition group (CONUT score 2-4, n=132), and moderate or severe malnutrition group (CONUT score ≥5, n=75). The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. The moderate or severe malnutrition group had significantly advanced NYHA functional class, higher N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT pro-BNP) levels, and higher Clinical Frailty Scale scores (all p<0.05). During a median follow-up of 31 months (interquartile range, 10-67), 103 patients (39.1%) died. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that mortality was significantly higher in the moderate or severe malnutrition group (log-rank p<0.001). Even after adjustment for a conventional risk score (VALID-CRT risk score), CONUT score (as a continuous variable) remained associated with mortality (p<0.05). Nutritional status as assessed by the CONUT score is significantly associated with the severity of HF and frailty, and subsequent mortality in patients with HF undergoing CRT.

Trajectories of functional performance recovery after inpatient geriatric rehabilitation: an observational study.

ObjectiveTo identify functional performance trajectories and the characteristics of people who receive inpatient geriatric rehabilitation after hospital admissions.Design, setting, participantsREStORing health of acutely unwell adulTs (RESORT) is an observational, prospective, longitudinal inception cohort study of consecutive patients admitted to geriatric rehabilitation wards at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. Recruitment commenced on 15 October 2017.Main outcome measuresFunctional performance, assessed with the Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) scales two weeks before acute hospitalisation, on admission to and discharge from geriatric rehabilitation, and three months after discharge from geriatric rehabilitation.ResultsA total of 618 rehabilitation patients were included in our analysis. For each of the two scales, three distinct functional performance trajectories were identified by latent class growth modelling: poor at baseline and 3‐month follow‐up (remained poor: ADL, 6.6% of patients; IADL, 42%), good at baseline but poor recovery (deteriorated: ADL, 33%; IADL, 20%), and good at baseline and good recovery (recovered: ADL, 60%; IADL, 35%). Higher Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) score (v recovered, per point: odds ratio [OR], 2.51; 95% CI, 1.64–3.84) and cognitive impairment (OR, 6.33; 95% CI, 2.09–19.1) were associated with greater likelihood of remaining poor in ADL, and also with deterioration (CFS score: OR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.45–2.13; cognitive impairment: OR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.24–2.82). Higher CFS score (OR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.37–1.97) and cognitive impairment (OR, 3.60; 95% CI, 2.31–5.61) were associated with remaining poor in IADL, and higher CFS score was also associated with deterioration (OR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.33–1.99).ConclusionsBased on ADL assessments, most people who underwent inpatient geriatric rehabilitation regained their baseline functional performance. As higher CFS score and cognitive impairment were associated with poorer functional recovery, assessing frailty and cognition at hospital admission could assist intervention and discharge planning.

Clinical Frailty Scale, K-FRAIL questionnaire, and clinical outcomes in an acute hospitalist unit in Korea

Background/AimsFrailty increases the risks of in-hospital adverse events such as delirium, falls, and functional decline in older adults. We assessed the feasibility and clinical relevance of frailty status in Korean older inpatients using the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) and Korean version of the Fatigue, Resistance, Ambulation, Illnesses, & Loss of Weight scale (K-FRAIL) questionnaires.MethodsFrailty status was measured using the Korean-translated version of the CFS and K-FRAIL questionnaire within 3 days from admission in 144 consecutive patients aged 60 years or older. The correlation between CFS and K-FRAIL score was assessed. The criterion validity of CFS was assessed using receiver operating characteristic analysis. As outcomes, delirium, bedsore, length of stay (LOS), in-hospital mortality, and unplanned 30-day readmission were measured by reviewing medical records.ResultsThe mean age of the study population was 70.1 years (range, 60 to 91), and 75 (52.1%) were men. By linear regression analysis, CFS and K-FRAIL were positively correlated (B = 0.72, p < 0.001). A CFS cutoff of ≥ 5 maximized sensitivity + specificity to classify frailty using K-FRAIL as a reference (C-index = 0.893). Higher frailty burden by both CFS and K-FRAIL was associated with higher LOS and bedsores. Unplanned readmission and in-hospital mortality were associated with higher CFS score but not with K-FRAIL score, after adjusting for age, gender, polypharmacy, and multimorbidity.ConclusionsFrailty status by CFS was associated with LOS, bedsores, unplanned readmission, and in-hospital mortality. CFS can be used to screen high-risk patients who may benefit from geriatric interventions and discharge planning in acutely hospitalized older adults.

Utilisation of a Suite of Screening Tools to Determine Adverse Healthcare Outcomes in an Older Frail Population Admitted to a Community Virtual Ward.

Risk stratification to assess healthcare outcomes among older people is challenging due to the interplay of multiple syndromes and conditions. Different short risk-screening tools can assist but the most useful instruments to predict responses and outcomes following interventions are unknown. We examined the relationship between a suite of screening tools and risk of adverse outcomes (pre-determined clinical ‘decline’ i.e., becoming ‘unstable’ or ‘deteriorating’ at 60–90 days, and institutionalisation, hospitalisation and death at 120 days), among community dwellers (n = 88) after admission to a single-centre, Irish, Community Virtual Ward (CVW). The mean age of patients was 82.8 (±6.4) years. Most were severely frail, with mean Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) scores of 6.8 ± 1.33. Several instruments were useful in predicting ‘decline’ and other healthcare outcomes. After adjustment for age and gender, higher frailty levels, odds ratio (OR) 3.29, (p = 0.002), impaired cognition (Mini Mental State Examination; OR 4.23, p < 0.001), lower mobility (modified FIM) (OR 3.08, p < 0.001) and reduced functional level (Barthel Index; OR 6.39, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with clinical ‘decline’ at 90 days. Prolonged (>30 s) TUG times (OR 1.27, p = 0.023) and higher CFS scores (OR 2.29, p = 0.045) were associated with institutionalisation. Only TUG scores were associated with hospitalisation and only CFS, MMSE and Barthel scores at baseline were associated with mortality. Utilisation of a multidimensional suite of risk-screening tools across a range of domains measuring frailty, mobility and cognition can help predict clinical ‘decline’ for an already frail older population. Their association with other outcomes was less useful. A better understanding of the utility of these instruments in vulnerable populations will provide a framework to inform the impact of interventions and assist in decision-making and anticipatory care planning for older patients in CVW models.

Why data on frailty and SARS-CoV-2 infection are basic to progress.

Several studies showed that frailty was a predictor of in-hospital death in older adults with COVID-19. The mechanisms through which frailty increases the severity of COVID-19 are several, including immunosenescense and dysregulated inflammation. Whether individuals affected by frailty exhibit a higher susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection remains an open question. Here we report the case series of 40 older persons that in February 2020, before the first case of COVID-19 was detected in Italy, went together on a winter holiday. Back home, 7 of them developed influenza-like symptoms and one was hospitalized due to COVID-19 pneumonia. Between May and July, the seniors were offered the possibility to be tested for SARS-CoV-2 antibody positivity. Twenty-seven of them accepted: 13 had a positive serological test whereas no active infection was found. Comparing the characteristics of those who tested positive and the others, we found that the former group was frailer, exhibiting higher Clinical Frailty Scale scores.

Validity of the Clinical Frailty Scale in Korean older patients at a geriatric clinic

Background/AimsWe aimed to assess the validity of the Korean translated version of the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) in determining the frailty status in geriatric outpatients.MethodsThe records of 123 ambulatory outpatients who had undergone CFS and comprehensive geriatric assessments (CGAs) including measurements for the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS) frailty scale and the frailty index (CGA-FI) were analyzed. Correlations between CFS, CHS frailty scale, and CGA-FI were assessed. The ability of CFS to classify frailty status was calculated using the CHS frailty scale and CGA-FI as references.ResultsThe mean CFS score was 3.2 in the study population, with a mean age of 77.49 years (45.5% men). Individuals with higher CFS scores were older, had a greater burden of chronic diseases, and worse daily functions and cognitive performance. CFS scores positively correlated with CGA-FI (B = 0.78, p < 0.001) and CHS frailty scale (B = 0.67, p < 0.001) scores. For CFS, C-statistics to classify frailty by CGA-FI and CHS scale were 0.905 and 0.826, respectively. The cut-off value of CFS ≥ 4 maximized Youden’s J to classify frailty by both the CHS scale and CGAFI.ConclusionsThe CFS is a valid screening tool to assess the frailty status in outpatients of a geriatric clinic in Korea. As a simple and quick measure, the CFS may facilitate frailty assessments in real-world clinical practice.

The Effect of Orthostatic Hypotension Detected Pre-Operatively on Post-Operative Outcome.

Exacerbation of or new onset orthostatic hypotension in perioperative patients can occur. There is complex underlying pathophysiology with further derailment likely caused by acute cardiovascular changes associated with surgery. The implications for post-operative recovery are unclear, particularly in frail and older patients. We retrospectively explored patient notes for evidence of post-operative orthostatic intolerance in relation to pre-operative orthostatic hypotension. Supine and 1-minute and 3-minute standing blood pressure measures obtained from adult patients before mainly general, orthopedic or uro/gynecology surgery were compared to post-operative outcome, specifically, evidence in patient notes about falls, feeling dizzy/unsteady and/or fearful to stand. Orthostatic hypotension was defined as a 20 mmHg or more and/or 10 mmHg or more fall in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respectively, within ~3 minutes of standing after lying supine for an electrocardiogram. Whilst all patients included had a 1-minute standing blood pressure assessment (N = 170), 3-minute assessment was performed less commonly (N = 113). Nevertheless, one-quarter (23.5%; N = 40) of 170 patients had pre-operative orthostatic hypotension. This was not clearly explained by cardiac or neurological disease or by common medications, but did occur more frequently in older patients and in those aged 65 years or more with higher clinical frailty scale scores. The COVID-19 pandemic reduced the number of patients progressing to surgery within the planned study timescale (N = 143/170; 84.1%). Nevertheless, patients with orthostatic hypotension stayed longer in hospital post-operatively and were more likely to have an episode of fall, unsteadiness and/or dizziness documented (un-prompted) in their notes. These data provide further impetus for research into modifiable perioperative risk factors associated with orthostatic hypotension. These risks are not confined to those with a pre-existing dysautonomia diagnosis.

Delirium is associated with high mortality in older adult patients with acute decompensated heart failure

BackgroundDelirium is associated with high mortality after cardiac surgery. However, evidence on the epidemiology of delirium in patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) is limited. This study aimed to assess the incidence and prognostic impact of delirium in patients with ADHF.MethodsThis single-center prospective observational study enrolled 132 consecutive patients with ADHF. We utilized the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition and classified the patients into two groups according to the presence or absence of delirium. The primary endpoint was 90-day all-cause mortality. The prognostic impact and risk factors of delirium were evaluated using multivariable Cox and logistic regression analyses, respectively.ResultsThe median patient age was 83 (interquartile range, 75–87) years. Approximately 51.5% were men. Delirium occurred in 36 (27.3%) patients, and hyperactive delirium was the most frequent type (86.1%). The 90-day all-cause mortality was higher in the patients with delirium than in those without (21.6% versus 3.9%, log-rank p = 0.002). Delirium was associated with higher mortality with an adjusted hazard ratio of 6.8 (95% confidence interval, 1.1–42.6, p = 0.042). The risk factors associated with delirium included advanced age, male sex, higher clinical frailty scale score, and dementia.ConclusionsDelirium was associated with a higher 90-day all-cause mortality in the older adult patients with ADHF. Hyperactive delirium was the most common subtype.

Frailty assessment in the COVID-19 pandemic

Dear Editor, We read with great interest the brief report by Labenz et al 1 entitled ‘Clinical Frailty Scale for risk stratification in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection’, which has recently...

Frailty Status Affects the Decision for Long-Term Anticoagulation Therapy in Elderly Patients with Atrial Fibrillation.

Elderly patients are underrepresented in the studies concerning anticoagulation therapy (AT) in atrial fibrillation (AF), while patients' frailty status is lacking in most of the studies. Our objective was to evaluate AT in AF elderly patients and study the effect of patients' frailty status on their long-term AT. We conducted an observational prospective study that enrolled consecutive AF patients (≥75years) who were hospitalized in the Department of Internal Medicine of the University Hospital of Heraklion, Crete, Greece from 1 June 2015 to 1 June 2016. We recorded the AT on admission and at discharge, all-cause mortality, and hospital readmission in a follow-up period of 1year after hospital discharge. Frailty status was assessed by pre-established scores. One hundred and four consecutive patients (49% male; median age 87years) were enrolled, 78 (78.8%) of whom received AT at discharge. Patients who did not receive AT at discharge had a higher HEMORR2HAGES (Hepatic or renal disease, Ethanol abuse, Malignancy, Older age, Reduced platelet count or function, Re-bleeding, Hypertension, Anemia, Genetic factors, Excessive fall risk and Stroke) score (5.5 ± 1.15 vs. 4.79 ± 1.68; p = 0.032), a lower Katz score (2.48 ± 2.23 vs. 4.08 ± 2.25; p = 0.006), and a higher Clinical Frailty Scale score (7 ± 1.95 vs. 5.57 ± 2.05; p = 0.006). Sixty-five patients (62.5%) were readmitted to a hospital during the follow-up period. In-hospital death occurred in five patients (4.8%) and 57 patients (57.6%) died within the follow-up period. A high percentage of the elderly AF patients did not receive AT, even at discharge. Patients who did not receive AT at discharge had higher bleeding and frailty scores. In the 1-year follow-up period after hospital discharge, high all-cause mortality and a high number of hospital readmissions were recorded.

Acute Kidney Injury and Subsequent Frailty Status in Survivors of Critical Illness: A Secondary Analysis.

Acute kidney injury frequently complicates critical illness and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Frailty is common in critical illness survivors, but little is known about the impact of acute kidney injury. We examined the association of acute kidney injury and frailty within a year of hospital discharge in survivors of critical illness. Secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study. Medical/surgical ICU of a U.S. tertiary care medical center. Three hundred seventeen participants with respiratory failure and/or shock. None. Acute kidney injury was determined using Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes stages. Clinical frailty status was determined using the Clinical Frailty Scale at 3 and 12 months following discharge. Covariates included mean ICU Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score as well as baseline comorbidity (i.e., Charlson Comorbidity Index), kidney function, and Clinical Frailty Scale score. Of 317 patients, 243 (77%) had acute kidney injury and one in four patients with acute kidney injury was frail at baseline. In adjusted models, acute kidney injury stages 1, 2, and 3 were associated with higher frailty scores at 3 months (odds ratio, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.14-3.24; odds ratio, 2.40; 95% CI, 1.31-4.42; and odds ratio, 4.41; 95% CI, 2.20-8.82, respectively). At 12 months, a similar association of acute kidney injury stages 1, 2, and 3 and higher Clinical Frailty Scale score was noted (odds ratio, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.11-3.14; odds ratio, 1.81; 95% CI, 0.94-3.48; and odds ratio, 2.76; 95% CI, 1.34-5.66, respectively). In supplemental and sensitivity analyses, analogous patterns of association were observed. Acute kidney injury in survivors of critical illness predicted worse frailty status 3 and 12 months postdischarge. These findings have important implications on clinical decision making among acute kidney injury survivors and underscore the need to understand the drivers of frailty to improve patient-centered outcomes.