Vol. 7, Issue 2, Part A (2025)

Background: Frailty is a multidimensional syndrome that is increasingly being recognized as a critical determinant of outcomes in patients with end-stage kidney disease undergoing dialysis.

 Objectives: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of frailty among dialysis patients in Saudi Arabia using the Arabic version of the FRAIL scale (FRAIL-AR) and examine its association with clinical outcomes, including hospitalization rates, length of stay, intensive care unit admissions, emergency department visits, and relevant biochemical parameters.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the outpatient dialysis unit of Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare Hospital (JHAH), Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. Eighty-five adult patients undergoing hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis were included in this study. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were employed to evaluate the relationships between frailty status, demographic factors, and clinical outcomes.

Results: Of the 85 patients, 60 (70.6%) were classified as frail or partially frail, whereas 25 (29.4%) were classified as non-frail. Compared to non-frail patients, frail patients were significantly older (mean age: 71 years, compared to 57 years, p= 0.0034), experienced more frequent hospitalizations (p= 0.034), had longer hospital stays (12.2 days, compared to 5 days, p= 0.0080), and had a higher prevalence of diabetes (p= 0.0788) and heart failure (p= 0.0726). Lower albumin levels were significantly associated with frailty (p= 0.004). Multivariate analysis identified age, female sex, and albumin level as the predictors of frailty.

 Conclusion: Frailty imposes a significant burden on dialysis patients, leading to increased hospitalization and treatment costs. Early identification of frailty through validated tools, such as the FRAIL-AR scale, and targeted interventions could enhance patient outcomes.