Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40053720›Full record

ArticleJMIR formative research2025

FRAILSURVEY-an mHealth App for Self-Assessment of Frailty Based on the Portuguese Version of the Groningen Frailty Indicator: Validation and Reliability Study.

Luis Midao, Mafalda Duarte, Rute Sampaio, Marta Almada, Cláudia Camila Dias, Constança Paúl, Elísio Costa

Abstract readValidation Study
In one paragraph

Article in JMIR formative research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Luis MidaoRISE-Health, Biochemistry Lab, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.ORCID 0000-0003-1981-2554
Mafalda DuarteRISE-Health, Department of Behavioural Sciences, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.ORCID 0000-0001-9036-4753
Rute SampaioRISE-Health, Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.ORCID 0000-0002-9009-6653
Marta AlmadaRISE-Health, Biochemistry Lab, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.ORCID 0000-0001-6575-1698
Cláudia Camila DiasKnowledge Management Unit, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto (FMUP), Porto, Portugal.ORCID 0000-0001-9356-3272
Constança PaúlICBAS-School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.ORCID 0000-0002-9214-7805
Elísio CostaRISE-Health, Biochemistry Lab, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.ORCID 0000-0003-1158-1480

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPortugal is facing the challenge of population ageing, with a notable increase in the proportion of older individuals. This has positioned the country among those in Europe with a high prevalence of frailty. Frailty, a geriatric syndrome characterized by diminished physiological reserve and heightened vulnerability to stressors, imposes a substantial burden on public health.

objectiveThis study seeks to address two primary objectives: (1) translation and psychometric evaluation of the European Portuguese version of the Groningen Frailty Indicator (GFI); and (2) development and evaluation of the FRAILSURVEY app, a novel assessment tool for frailty based on the GFI. By achieving these objectives, the study aims to enhance the accuracy and reliability of frailty assessment in the Portuguese context, ultimately contributing to improved health care outcomes for older individuals in the region.

methodsTo accomplish the objectives of the study, a comprehensive research methodology was used. The study comprised 2 major phases: the initial translation and validation of the GFI into European Portuguese and the development of the FRAILSURVEY app. Following this, an extensive examination of the app's validity and reliability was conducted compared with the conventional paper version of the GFI. A randomized repeated crossover design was used to ensure rigorous evaluation of both assessment methods, using both the paper form of the GFI and the smartphone-based app FRAILSURVEY.

resultsThe findings of the study revealed promising outcomes in line with the research objectives. The meticulous translation process yielded a final version of the GFI with robust psychometric properties, ensuring clarity and comprehensibility for participants. The study included 522 participants, predominantly women (367/522, 70.3%), with a mean age of 73.7 (SD 6.7) years. Psychometric evaluation of the European Portuguese GFI in paper form demonstrates good reliability (internal consistency: Cronbach a value of 0.759; temporal stability: intraclass correlation coefficient=0.974) and construct validity (revealing a 4D structure explaining 56% of variance). Evaluation of the app-based European Portuguese GFI indicates good reliability (interinstrument reliability: Cohen k=0.790; temporal stability: intraclass correlation coefficient=0.800) and concurrent validity (r=0.694; P<.001).

conclusionsBoth the smartphone-based app and the paper version of the GFI were feasible and acceptable for use. The findings supported that FRAILSURVEY exhibited comparable validity and reliability to its paper counterpart. FRAILSURVEY uses a standardized and validated assessment tool, offering objective and consistent measurements while eliminating subjective biases, enhancing accuracy, and ensuring reliability. This app holds promising potential for aiding health care professionals in identifying frailty in older individuals, enabling early intervention, and improving the management of adverse health outcomes associated with this syndrome. Its integration with electronic health records and other data may lead to personalized interventions, improving frailty management and health outcomes for at-risk individuals.

Indexed as

FrailtyGeriatric AssessmentMobile ApplicationsSelf-AssessmentAgedAged, 80 and overFemaleHumansMalePortugalPsychometricsReproducibility of ResultsSurveys and QuestionnairesTelemedicineTranslationsassessmentFRAILSURVEYfrailtyGFIGroningen Frailty IndicatormHealthmobile phonereliabilityself-assessmentvalidation

Identifiers

PMID40053720
PMCPMC11928775

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.