Table 4 Frailty factors achieving consensus (n = 33)

Activity Limitation

Difficulties in performing tasks and engaging in social roles [43]

Round 1: 7.91 (2.04)

Round 1, 19 (83)

Anaemia and Haematinic Deficiency

Anaemia is a condition that develops when your blood produces a lower than normal amount of healthy red blood cells. Haematinics are nutrients required for the formation of blood cells (i.e. iron, B12, folate) [44]

Round 1: 7.00 (1.78)

Round 3, 22 (96)

Round 2: 7.48 (1.41)

Round 3: 8.13 (0.55)

Arthritis

Inflammation or swelling of one or more joints. It describes conditions that affect the joints, tissues around the joints, and other connective tissues [43]

Round 1: 7.14 (2.10)

Round 2, 21 (91)

Round 2: 8.04 (1.07)

Atrial Fibrillation

The most common type of treated heart arrythmia. An arrythmia is when the heart beats too slowly, too fast, or in an irregular way [43]

Round 1: 6.13 (1.98)

Round 3, 20 (87)

Round 2: 7.52 (1.44)

Round 3: 8.04 (0.71)

Cerebrovascular Disease

Stroke/TIA (mini-stroke); an acute compromise to the blood flow through the brain [44]

Round 1: 8.52 (1.78)

Round 1, 20 (87)

Chronic Kidney Disease

A condition characterized by gradual loss of kidney function over time; the kidneys are damaged and cannot filter blood as well they should, resulting in the buildup of excess fluid and waste products [43, 48]

Round 1: 7.74 (1.54)

Round 2, 21 (91)

Round 2: 8.52 (1.08)

Coronary Heart Disease

Type of heart disease that occurs when the arteries of the heart (coronary arteries) cannot deliver enough oxygen-rich blood to the heart, often caused by a plaque buildup in the walls of the coronary arteries [43, 44]

Round 1: 8.00 (1.31)

Round 2, 23 (100)

Round 2: 8.65 (0.78)

Diabetes

A disease that occurs when one’s blood glucose/sugar is high because their body either can’t produce insulin or can’t properly use the insulin it produces [45]

Round 1: 7.30 (1.66)

Round 2, 20 (87)

Round 2: 8.26 (1.10)

Dizziness

A term used to describe a range of sensations such as feeling faint, weak, lightheaded, or unsteady [47]

Round 1: 7.65 (1.97)

Round 2, 21 (91)

Round 2: 8.26 (1.54)

Dyspnoea

Sensation of difficult or uncomfortable breathing/shortness of breath [44]

Round 1: 8.13 (2.07)

Round 1, 20 (87)

Falls

An event which results in a person coming to rest inadvertently on the ground or floor or other lower level [46]

Round 1: 9.09 (1.53)

Round 1, 20 (87)

Foot Problems

Issues related to feet

Round 1: 7.39 (1.85)

Round 2, 21 (91)

Round 2: 8.13 (1.42)

Fragility Fracture

Any fracture that occurs from trauma [44]

Round 1: 8.52 (1.44)

Round 1, 19 (83)

Hearing Impairment

Inability to hear as well as someone with normal hearing [46]

Round 1: 6.87 (2.58)

Round 3, 22 (96)

Round 2: 7.91 (1.0)

Round 3: 8.43 (0.84)

Heart Failure

Heart fails to pump sufficient levels of blood and oxygen to support other organs in the body [43]

Round 1: 8.39 (1.08)

Round 1, 20 (87)

Heart Valve Disease

When any valve in the heart has damage or is diseased and/or the heart valves do not open or close properly [43, 53]

Round 1: 7.83 (1.37)

Round 2, 20 (87)

Round 2: 8.22 (1.28)

Housebound

Unable to leave one’s home, often due to illness or functional/mobility limitation

Round 1: 8.48 (1.97)

Round 1, 19 (83)

Hypotension/Syncope

Low blood pressure; develops when blood flows through the arteries at higher-than-normal pressures (syncope = fainting as a result) [44]

Round 1: 7.91 (2.15)

Round 2, 21 (91)

Round 2: 8.39 (1.47)

Memory and/or Cognitive Problems

Issues with conscious intellectual activity such as thinking, reasoning, or remembering [47]

Round 1: 8.78 (1.44)

Round 1, 19 (83)

Mobility and Transfer Problems

Difficulties getting around physically or moving from one place to another [47]

Round 1: 8.96 (1.02)

Round 1, 22 (96)

Osteoporosis

Condition that weakens bones, making them more fragile and more likely to break [49]

Round 1: 8.13 (1.22)

Round 2, 20 (87)

Round 2: 8.35 (1.27)

Parkinsonism and Tremor

Brain disorder that causes unintended or uncontrollable movements such as shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination [44]

Round 1: 8.65 (1.03)

Round 1, 20 (87)

Peripheral Vascular Disease

Blood circulation disorder that affects blood vessels outside the heart and brain [43, 51]

Round 1: 7.35 (1.67)

Round 2, 20 (87)

Round 2: 8.26 (0.81)

Polypharmacy

The use of multiple medications simultaneously [44]

Round 1: 7.96 (2.08)

Round 2, 21 (91)

Round 2: 8.48 (1.12)

Requirement for Care

Requiring help from others for personal care

Round 1: 8.91 (1.08)

Round 1, 21 (91)

Respiratory Disease

Disease that affects the lungs and other parts of the respiratory system, affecting breathing [50]

Round 1: 8.09 (1.16)

Round 2, 22 (96)

Round 2: 8.91 (0.85)

Skin Ulcer

An open sore caused by poor blood flow [51]

Round 1: 7.26 (1.96)

Round 2, 20 (87)

Round 2: 7.91 (0.95)

Sleep Disturbance

Disorders of initiating and/or maintaining sleep, disorders of excessive sleeping, disorders of sleep–wake schedule, and dysfunctions associated with sleep, sleep stages, or partial arousals [44]

Round 1: 6.83 (1.90)

Round 2, 20 (87)

Round 2: 7.83 (1.40)

Social Vulnerability

Potential negative effects on communities caused by external stresses on human health [43]

Round 1: 8.13 (1.60)

Round 2, 23 (100)

Round 2: 9.04 (0.82)

Urinary Incontinence

Loss of bladder control, unintentional passing of urine [44, 47]

Round 1: 7.57 (2.27)

Round 1, 19 (83)

Urinary System Disease

Diseases or disorders that affect the urinary system [44]

Round 1: 6.71 (1.95)^a

Round 3, 20 (87)

Round 2: 7.78 (1.00)

Round 3: 8.22 (0.80)

Visual Impairment

Inability to see as well as someone with normal vision [46]

Round 1: 7.74 (2.12)

Round 2, 22 (96%)

Round 2: 8.87 (0.87)

Weight Loss and/or Anorexia

Losing weight faster than normal (anorexia – eating disorder caused by weight loss [52]

Round 1: 7.74 (2.20)

Round 2, 22 (96)

Round 2: 8.52 (1.68)