Journal of Kidney Care · Jul 2, 2026
Frailty, hospital utilisation and mortality in an Irish haemodialysis cohort
By Shahzad V, Collins L, Redahan L et al.
Frailty is common in patients undergoing haemodialysis and can have significant consequences for health outcomes. This Irish study demonstrates that higher frailty scores are associated with increased hospital utilisation and mortality, supporting the need for routine frailty assessment and multidisciplinary management in dialysis care. Background: Frailty is a key determinant of outcomes in maintenance haemodialysis, but Irish data are limited. Aim: To assess the prevalence and prognostic impact of frailty in an Irish haemodialysis cohort. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted with 37 patients receiving maintenance haemodialysis at a tertiary centre. Frailty was measured using the Clinical Frailty Scale. Outcomes included hospital admissions, mean length of stay, fall-related admissions and mortality. Associations were analysed using non-parametric tests and multivariable regression adjusted for age and sex. Results: A total of 41% of patients were frail (Clinical Frailty Scale 6–9). Greater frailty was associated with higher admission rates (r=0.38, P =0.021) and longer stays (r=0.49, P =0.002). Each one-point increase in the Clinical Frailty Scale predicted a 36% higher admission rate (IRR 1.36, P =0.034) and 62% longer stay (β=0.48, P =0.026). Mortality increased sharply with frailty (OR 25.3, P =0.007). Conclusion: Frailty strongly predicted hospital utilisation and mortality. Routine Clinical Frailty Scale assessment may aid risk stratification and targeted multidisciplinary care.