Prevalence of Frailty and Its Standardised Assessment Tools among Malaysian Older Person: A Systematic Review

Prevalence, perceptions, and experiences of frailty among older migrants from Low- and Middle-Income Countries to High Income Countries: A mixed method systematic review

BACKGROUND

Frailty is increasingly becoming a public health concern, especially among vulnerable populations. Older migrants from Low- and Middle-Income Countries to High Income Countries present with poorer health and are at increased risk of becoming frail. This review aims to explore the prevalence, perceptions, and experiences of frailty among older migrants from Low- and Middle-Income Countries to High Income Countries.

METHODS

This review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis. Five electronic databases were comprehensively searched for relevant literature published from January 1, 2000, to April 30, 2023. Quality appraisal for the quantitative studies was done with the Joanna Brigg's critical appraisal tool for analytic cross-sectional studies, and the qualitative studies were assessed with the Critical Appraisal Skill Program tool for qualitative studies.

RESULT

Seven studies met the inclusion criteria. Frailty was assessed using modified versions of the Frailty Phenotype and Frailty Index. The prevalence of frailty using the Frailty Phenotype was 16.6 %, and 17 % to 61.9 % according to the Frailty Index. The perceptions and experiences of frailty were characterised by chronic ill-health and a review of healthy pre-migration and early migration lives.

CONCLUSION

Despite the variation in frailty assessment methods, the high prevalence of frailty among older migrants was highlighted across the included studies. The perceptions and experiences of frailty reflect a state of resignation which can complicate the state of frailty. There is the need for ongoing research among migrant groups to identify their predisposition to frailty for early intervention.