Association of the CAN score with the FRAIL scale in community dwelling older adults

Background: Frailty is a state of vulnerability to stressors which results in higher morbidity, mortality and healthcare utilization. The FRAIL scale is used as a validated screening for frailty. The Care Assessment Need (CAN) score is automatically generated from electronic health record data using a statistical model that includes data elements similar to the deficit accumulation model for frailty and predicts risk for hospitalization and/or mortality. Aim: To determine the correlation of the CAN score with the FRAIL scale. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 503 community-dwelling older adults. We compared the FRAIL scale with the CAN score. Results: The CAN score was significantly different between robust, prefrail and frail. Post hoc analysis revealed significant increases in scores from robust to prefrail and frail groups, in that order. The CAN score and FRAIL scale showed a correlation. Conclusions: The CAN score show a moderate positive association with the FRAIL scale.