Frailty in peritoneal dialysis patients: a scoping review

Abstract

Objective To conduct a scoping review of research on frailty in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients, providing a basis for future studies. Methods Following the scoping review reporting guidelines, a systematic search of domestic and international databases was performed for studies on frailty in PD patients from inception to April 10, 2026. Two researchers independently screened the literature and extracted data. Results A total of 29 studies were finally included, of which 28 reported the incidence of frailty in PD patients, ranging from 7.3% to 83%, showing considerable variation across different studies and assessment tools. Frailty was influenced by multidimensional factors, including sociodemographic characteristics, disease-related variables, physical function and body composition indicators, and psychological-behavioral factors. The main assessment tools used were the Fried Frailty Phenotype Scale and the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS). However, there is a lack of assessment tools specifically tailored to the disease characteristics of PD patients. Conclusion The prevalence of frailty in PD patients varies considerably and is affected by multiple factors. Existing assessment tools require further optimization.