Frailty and Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Frailty, a state of reduced physiological reserve, has not been studied in consumers with treatment-resistant schizophrenia, despite known elevated rates of comorbidity and psychosocial impairment. This study applies a frailty index to the electronic medical records of 78 adults with treatment-resistant schizophrenia, aged 18-64 years, to determine the prevalence and characteristics of frailty (defined as a frailty index score > 0.21). The mean frailty index score was 0.24 (SD = 0.091, range = 0.061-0.54), with 52.6% of the population categorised as frail (40.0% in those aged 18-39 years). Frailty was positively correlated with age and psychiatric illness severity. This study provides novel evidence that individuals with treatment-resistant schizophrenia have a high rate of frailty and become frail at a younger age. Routine frailty assessments could be used to trigger the delivery of appropriate interventions, which have the potential to improve life expectancy and quality of life.

Automated summary

This study examines the prevalence and characteristics of frailty in individuals with treatment-resistant schizophrenia, revealing a high rate of frailty and a younger age of onset. Frailty is positively associated with age and severity of psychiatric illness. The findings suggest that routine frailty assessments can lead to appropriate interventions, potentially improving life expectancy and quality of life.