The combination of the Frail-VIG index and the Pfeiffer test improves the detection of cognitive decline.

The integration of these tests makes it possible to identify elderly individuals at risk and personalize their care in primary and home care settings.

A study led by IDIAPJGol and ICS concludes that combining the Frail-VIG index with the Pfeiffer test is an effective tool to identify frailty and the risk of cognitive decline in elderly individuals in home care. This combination of tests enables more personalized care tailored to each person’s specific needs.

The research, published in the Revista Española de Geriatría y Gerontología, highlights the potential of this index to guide preventive interventions from primary care, thus improving the quality of life for the most vulnerable individuals. The study, led by IDIAPJGol researcher Dr. Juan-José Zamora-Sánchez, a nurse at the Catalan Institute of Health, shows a moderate correlation between the Frail-VIG index and the Pfeiffer test, widely used to detect cognitive decline. The results indicate that the higher the degree of frailty according to the Frail-VIG, the greater the probability of experiencing cognitive decline. The Frail-VIG index is a multidimensional tool for assessing frailty that stratifies the population, designed by geriatrician Jordi Amblàs, and is now recommended by the Department of Health.

Benefits of Home Care

Home care provides essential benefits for the elderly, as it eliminates the need for travel and allows health professionals to assess the environment in which they live—a key factor in detecting frailty. However, it also presents limitations, such as the reliance on family caregivers and restricted access to some healthcare resources, factors that can affect the ability to intervene.

Complementary Tools
The Fràgil-VIG index, based on a comprehensive assessment of frailty, and the Pfeiffer test, aimed at evaluating cognitive decline, are complementary tools that address both physical and cognitive vulnerability in the elderly population. Using them together is essential for planning preventive care adapted to at-risk elderly individuals.
For this study, a cross-sectional methodology was used with 412 people included in a home care program. During home visits, primary care nurses administered both tools. Subsequently, the correlation between the two results was analyzed following COSMIN standards for validating measurement instruments.

Reference to the article
Zamora-Sánchez JJ, Zabaleta-Del-Olmo E, Pérez-Tortajada G, Amblàs-Novellas J. Validez convergente y discriminativa del índice Frágil-VIG con el test de Pfeiffer en personas atendidas en atención domiciliaria. Rev Esp