VALIDATION OF EDMONTON FRAIL SCALE INTO ELDERLY TURKISH POPULATION.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this methodological study was to assess the validity and reliability of Turkish version of the "Edmonton Frail Scale" (EFS).

METHOD: 130 individuals aged 65 and over residing at the Izmir Narlıdere Nursing Home between September 2011 - April 2012 who agreed to participate in the study constituted the sample for the research. Individuals with communication problems (deafness, blindness or language barriers) and problems with manual dexterity were not included in the study. The EFS is composed of 11 items, with a minimum score of zero and a maximum score of 17. Initially, the scale was translated into Turkish and then back translated in order to ensure language equivalence. Six experts were consulted with regard to content validity and agreement among the experts was assessed using Kendall's W. When testing the reliability of the EFS, the scale was re-administered to 30 participants two-three weeks after the initial administration in order to determine its consistency over time and agreement between the first and second administration was analysed using the kappa statistic. Pearson's Moment Correlation Coefficient and Cronbach's Alpha were also used to establish reliability.

FINDINGS: The overall Cronbach's alpha value for the scale was 0.75. An "item analysis" calculated item-total correlation coefficients of between 0.12-0.65 for scale items, and the item-total correlation for item six was found to be less than 0.20. This item solicits the number of medications used by the subject, and since the number of medications used is significant in the determination of frailty it was not removed from the scale. The scale was found to be highly consistent over time (Kappa (κ) = Min: 0.95, Max: 1.00) CONCLUSION: EFS indicators were found to be sufficiently reliable and valid for the Turkish population. Accordingly, it is recommended that this scale be used in determining the frailty of older individuals.