Impact of Clinical Frailty Scale on Morbidity and Mortality in Older Adults Diagnosed With Pneumonia in the Emergency Department: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study

Pneumonia is one of the leading causes of infection-related mortality in the older population. Traditional severity scores used in emergency departments, such as the Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI) and CURB-65, primarily focus on acute physiological derangements and may not adequately capture biological reserve and frailty in older adults. Frailty is a geriatric syndrome reflecting increased vulnerability to stressors and reduced recovery capacity. This prospective observational cohort study aims to evaluate the predictive value of the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) for in-hospital mortality, 30-day mortality, and morbidity in patients aged 65 years and older presenting to the emergency department with pneumonia. Additionally, the study will assess whether incorporating frailty assessment into existing pneumonia severity scores improves prognostic accuracy.