Prevalence of frailty among elderly patients with hip fracture in China: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

IntroductionFrailty is a clinical syndrome characterised by a reduced ability to adapt to external stressors owing to a reduced physiological reserve, which is caused by degeneration of multiple organ systems. Frailty is particularly prevalent among patients with hip fractures. Research on frailty in China started late; thus, evidence regarding the prevalence of frailty among older patients with hip fracture in China is scarce. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to systematically search for available data on the prevalence of frailty among older patients with hip fracture in China, assess the pooled prevalence of frailty and describe the association between frailty and clinical outcomes.Method and analysisWe will systematically search electronic databases, including Web of Science, Embase, PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wanfang data Database, to identify studies on the prevalence of frailty in older patients with hip fracture. Two reviewers will independently identify eligible studies according to defined inclusion criteria and critically appraise them using the Joanna Briggs Institute’s standardised critical appraisal tool. Data will be analysed using Stata V.12.0.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval is not required as this review will only include data from published sources. The results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42022265321.