European Respiratory Society statement on frailty in adults with chronic lung disease.

Christian R Osadnik, Lisa J Brighton, Chris Burtin, Matteo Cesari, Lies Lahousse, Will D C Man, Alessandra Marengoni, Andreja Sajnic, Jonathan P Singer, Lies Ter Beek, Ioanna Tsiligianni, Janos T Varga, Stefano Pavanello, Matthew Maddocks

Journal: The European respiratory journal 2023;62(2):2300442

PMID: 37414420

Abstract

Frailty is a complex, multidimensional syndrome characterised by a loss of physiological reserves that increases a person's susceptibility to adverse health outcomes. Most knowledge regarding frailty originates from geriatric medicine; however, awareness of its importance as a treatable trait for people with chronic respiratory disease (including asthma, COPD and interstitial lung disease) is emerging. A clearer understanding of frailty and its impact in chronic respiratory disease is a prerequisite to optimise clinical management in the future. This unmet need underpins the rationale for undertaking the present work. This European Respiratory Society statement synthesises current evidence and clinical insights from international experts and people affected by chronic respiratory conditions regarding frailty in adults with chronic respiratory disease. The scope includes coverage of frailty within international respiratory guidelines, prevalence and risk factors, review of clinical management options (including comprehensive geriatric care, rehabilitation, nutrition, pharmacological and psychological therapies) and identification of evidence gaps to inform future priority areas of research. Frailty is underrepresented in international respiratory guidelines, despite being common and related to increased hospitalisation and mortality. Validated screening instruments can detect frailty to prompt comprehensive assessment and personalised clinical management. Clinical trials targeting people with chronic respiratory disease and frailty are needed.

Copyright ©The authors 2023. For reproduction rights and permissions contact [email protected].

Address: Monash University, Department of Physiotherapy, Frankston, Australia [email protected].; Monash Health, Monash Lung, Sleep, Allergy and Immunology, Frankston, Australia.; King's College London, Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy and Rehabilitation, London, UK.; King's College London, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, London, UK.; REVAL Rehabilitation Research Center, BIOMED Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium.; Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.; Department of Bioanalysis, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.; Heart Lung and Critical Care Group, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.; National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College, London, UK.; Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK.; Department of Clinical and Experimental Science, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.; Aging Research Center, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.; Department for Respiratory Diseases Jordanovac, University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia.; Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.; Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, University Medical Center Groningen, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.; Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece.; Semmelweis University, Department of Pulmonology, Budapest, Hungary.; National Koranyi Institute of Pulmonology, Department of Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Budapest, Hungary.; Unione Trapiantati Polmone, Padua, Italy.; King's College London, Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy and Rehabilitation, London, UK.
Bant logo

© Copyright 2026, Nutrition Evidence

NED wishes to thank the following organisations for their support:

We use cookies to improve your experience and analyze site traffic with Google Analytics. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more.