Table 1

Proposed clinical definition of the phenotype of frailty

Criteria

1. Decreased grip strength

2. Self-reported exhaustion

3. Unintentional weight loss of more than 4.5 kg over the past year

4. Slow walking speed

5. Low physical activity

Definition

Positive for frail phenotype: ≥3 criteria present

Intermediate/pre-frail: one or two criteria present

Nonfrail: no criteria present

Adapted from Fried and colleagues [2].

McDermid et al. Critical Care 2011 15:301   doi:10.1186/cc9297