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Frailty Prevalence and Characterization Among Kidney Transplant Candidates in Spain: A Multicenter Study

  • María José Pérez-Sáez
  • , Edoardo Melilli
  • , Marta Arias
  • , Antonio Franco
  • , Rocío Martínez
  • , Asunción Sancho
  • , María Molina
  • , Carme Facundo
  • , Natalia Polanco
  • , Verónica López
  • , Auxiliadora Mazuecos
  • , Sheila Cabello
  • , María Elena González García
  • , María Luisa Suárez
  • , Ingrid Auyanet
  • , Jordi Espi
  • , Teresa García Falcón
  • , Juan Carlos Ruiz
  • , Cristina Galeano
  • , Marta Artamendi
  • María Luisa Rodríguez-Ferrero, José María Portolés, María Auxiliadora Santana, Paloma Leticia Martín-Moreno, Nisrine Arhda, Marta Calvo, Alicia Mendiluce, Manuel Macía, María Lourdes Pérez-Tamajón, Javier de Teresa, Blanca Gascó, Sagrario Soriano, Guadalupe Tabernero, Lourdes de la Vara, Ana María Ramos, Rafael Martínez, Enrique Montero de Espinosa, José Luis Zalve, Julio Pascual, Leocadio Rodríguez-Mañas, Alex Gutiérrez-Dalmau, Francesc Moreso
  • Hospital del Mar
  • Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge
  • Hospital Clínic de Barcelona
  • Hospital General Universitario de Alicante
  • Hospital Universitario Infanta Cristina
  • Hospital Universitario Dr. Peset
  • Generalitat de Catalunya
  • Fundacio Puigvert
  • Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre
  • Hospital Regional Universitario Carlos Haya
  • University of Málaga
  • Hospital Universitario Puerta del Mar
  • Hospital Universitario Son Espases
  • Hospital Universitario La Paz
  • Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias
  • Maternity and Children's University Hospital
  • Hospital Universitario La Fe
  • Hospital Juan Canalejo
  • Hospital Universitario Marques de Valdecilla
  • Hospital Ramon y Cajal
  • Hospital San Pedro
  • Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañon
  • Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda
  • Hospital de Cruces
  • University of Navarra
  • University Hospital
  • Hospital Clínico San Carlos de Madrid
  • Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid
  • Hospital Universitario Nuestra Senora de Candelaria
  • Hospital Universitario de Canarias
  • Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves
  • Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio
  • Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía
  • Hospital Clínico Universitario de Salamanca
  • Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Albacete
  • Fundación Jimenez Diaz
  • Sandoz Farmacéutica SA
  • Hospital Universitario de Getafe
  • Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet
  • Hospital Vall d'Hebron & ARADyAL Research Network

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)
1 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Frailty is a frequent condition among kidney transplant candidates (KTc) that confers poor outcomes after transplantation. We aimed to establish frailty prevalence in a representative sample of KTc in Spain. We conducted a multicenter cross-sectional study including 1194 KTc ≥50 years. Frailty was assessed by the FRAIL scale. Mean age was 64.2 years; 38.4% were female. Median Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) was 6 [4–7] and the total number of medications was 9 [7–12]. We found that 8.2% of patients were frail and 41.5% were pre-frail. Frailty was more frequent among females (60.2% of frail vs. 32.8% of robust; p < 0.001), hemodialysis patients (74.5% of frail vs. 67.1% of robust; p = 0.02), and those with a high burden of disease (54.6% of frail patients with CCI >6 vs. 29.3% of robust; p < 0.001). The multivariable analysis confirmed that frailty was associated with the female sex (OR 3.9 [2.5–6.2]); higher CCI (>6 OR 2.9 [1.6–54]); and the number of medications (OR –per medication- 1.13 [1.07–1.2]). Almost 50% of KTc in Spain are pre-frail or frail. Frailty is more prevalent between women and patients with high comorbidity burden. Identifying those candidates at risk is essential to establish risks and implement strategies to minimize them.

Original languageEnglish
Article number14098
JournalTransplant International
Volume38
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 24 Jun 2025

Keywords

  • FRAIL
  • candidate
  • frailty
  • kidney transplant
  • waiting list
  • Prevalence
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Comorbidity
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk Factors
  • Male
  • Kidney Transplantation
  • Sex Factors
  • Female
  • Aged
  • Spain/epidemiology
  • Frailty/epidemiology

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Transplantation

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