Respiratory tract infections (RTI) remain a challenge to global health, particularly in the frail populations. However, an understanding of the causal relationship between frailty and RTI is limited.

Two complementary approaches were used. First, we conducted a cross-sectional analysis to examine the association between frailty index (FI) and RTI, using data from the NHANES 2013-2014. We then introduced Mendelian randomization (MR) using genome-wide association study summary statistics to determine the causality between frailty index, low grip strength, walking pace, light physical activity, and upper (URTI) or lower RTI (LRTI). The primary method of inverse variance weighting and complementary MR methods were used to verify causality. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to confirm the robustness of the primary results.

A total of 2249 participants were enrolled in the cross-sectional study. Weighted multivariable-adjusted logistic regression analysis showed that the frailty index was positively associated with RTI after adjusting for covariates (Continuous FI, odds ratio [OR] = 4.95; 95 % confidence interval [CI], 1.69-14.50, P = 0.004; Categorical FI, OR = 1.51 [95 % CI, 1.11-2.06, P = 0.009]). Restricted cubic spline analysis showed a significant increase in the prevalence of RTI when FI was >0.24. The results of the MR analysis supported a causal relationship between the frailty index and LRTI (OR = 1.939 [95 % CI, 1.180-3.186, P = 0.009]). Sensitivity analysis further confirmed the robustness of these findings.

Our study identified a potential association between the FI and RTI at both phenotypic and genetic levels. The results revealed a causal relationship between the FI and LRTI.

Although frailty has been recognized to adversely influence outcomes of emergency general surgery, there are limited data comparing the performance of frailty instruments among this population. We compared the discriminatory power of 4 risk prediction models across a national cohort of patients who underwent emergency general surgery to assess outcomes of interest.

Adults undergoing emergency general surgery (large bowel resection, small bowel resection, repair of perforated ulcer, cholecystectomy, appendectomy, lysis of adhesions, or laparotomy) were identified in 2016-2021 Nationwide Readmissions Database. Patients were grouped into frail and non-frail cohorts on the basis of various frailty instruments: Hospital Frailty Risk Score, Modified 5-factor Frailty Index, Modified 11-factor Frailty Index, and Johns Hopkins Adjusted Clinical Groups index. Multivariable regressions were developed to assess independent associations between frailty instruments and in-hospital mortality as well as a composite of perioperative complications.

Of 1,385,505 hospitalizations for emergency general surgery, 57.0%, 29.9%, 26.6%, and 10.5% were identified as frail by mFI-11, Hospital Frailty Risk Score, Modified 5-factor Frailty Index, and Adjusted Clinical Groups, respectively. After multivariable adjustment, Hospital Frailty Risk Score demonstrated the greatest discriminatory power for predicting in-hospital mortality and perioperative complications when compared with other frailty indices. Subjects classified as frail using the Hospital Frailty Risk Score were associated with the greatest risk of mortality (adjusted odds ratio, 7.8; 95% confidence interval, 7.4-8.3) and composite complications (adjusted odds ratio, 8.4; 95% confidence interval, 9.3-8.5) compared with other indices across all frailty levels.

Among patients undergoing emergency general surgery, Hospital Frailty Risk Score demonstrated the greatest discrimination in predicting mortality and composite complications. Risk-stratification efforts should prioritize Hospital Frailty Risk Score in elderly patients undergoing emergency general surgery to optimize clinical outcomes and resource allocation.

Frailty, a common, multifaceted, and significant geriatric condition, involves crucial roles of inflammation and metabolic factors in its onset and progression. Nevertheless, the ambiguities and complexities in earlier observational studies make current research into their interactions somewhat insufficient. Our goals were to clarify the causal link between inflammatory cytokines and frailty and to explore the potential mediating effect of metabolites using Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.

Utilizing detailed summary-level data from genome-wide association studies, we conducted two-sample Mendelian randomization analyses to evaluate the potential causal connection between 91 inflammatory cytokines and the frailty index, along with the possible mediating pathways that involve 1400 metabolites. For our main analysis, we applied the inverse variance weighted method. To evaluate the potential mediating pathways of metabolites, a two-step MR analysis was utilized.

We identified 8 inflammatory cytokines that were genetically associated with the frailty index, we subsequently identified 2 mediated relationships, with 2 metabolites acting as potential mediators between 2 inflammatory cytokines and frailty index. The 8 inflammatory cytokines were fractalkine (CX3CL1), interleukin-33 (IL-33), leukemia inhibitory factor receptor (LIF-R), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (CCL8), CC motif chemokine 4 (CCL4), C-X-C motif chemokine 10 (CXCL10), fibroblast growth factor 5 (FGF-5), and TNF-beta (TNFB) levels.

The findings of this study demonstrate a direct connection between inflammatory cytokines and the frailty index, as well as two pathways mediated by metabolites. These biomarkers contribute valuable insights into the foundational mechanisms of frailty, presenting a novel research avenue for upcoming clinical studies.

While preoperative anemia is prevalent among surgical patients, its impact on patients undergoing transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) remains poorly understood. This study aims to assess the relationship between the severity of preoperative anemia and outcomes following TCAR.

A retrospective analysis of the Vascular Quality Initiative database (2016-2021) was performed to identify patients who underwent TCAR for carotid stenosis. Anemia was defined according to World Health Organization guidelines as a hemoglobin (Hb) level <12 g/dL in females and <13 g/dL in males. The severity of anemia was further classified as mild (Hb: 10-11.9 g/dL in females and 11-12.9 g/dL in males) or moderate to severe (Hb < 10 g/dL in females and <11 g/dL in males). Patients were stratified into three cohorts as follows, based on the presence and severity of preoperative anemia: no anemia, mild anemia, and moderate-to-severe anemia. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality. Secondary outcomes included in-hospital stroke, in-hospital death, myocardial infarction (MI), and prolonged postoperative hospitalization (>1 day). Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the association between the severity of preoperative anemia and clinical outcomes.

Among 21,648 patients who underwent TCAR, 4,240 (19.8%) had mild anemia, and 3,401 (15.8%) had moderate-to-severe anemia preoperatively. After adjusting for relevant clinical factors and confounders, moderate-to-severe preoperative anemia was associated with significantly increased odds of in-hospital MI (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.39; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.53-3.74; P < 0.001), in-hospital death (aOR, 2.65; 95% CI: 1.62-4.34; P < 0.001), and 30-day mortality (aOR, 1.89; 95% CI: 1.32-2.72; P < 0.001) compared to nonanemic patients. Among patients with moderate-to-severe anemia, factors such as a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or congestive heart failure (CHF), urgent or emergent procedures, and symptomatic carotid stenosis were the strongest predictors of 30-day mortality. In contrast, mild anemia was not associated with increased odds of adverse postoperative outcomes compared to the nonanemic cohort. Preoperative anemia, regardless of severity, was not associated with an increased risk of postoperative stroke following TCAR. However, the severity of preoperative anemia was associated with a stepwise increase in the adjusted odds of prolonged hospitalization (aOR, 1.19 [mild anemia] and 1.57 [moderate-to-severe anemia]).

In this multi-institutional retrospective study of patients undergoing TCAR, moderate-to-severe preoperative anemia was independently associated with higher adjusted odds of in-hospital MI, in-hospital death, and 30-day mortality, without an increased risk of postoperative stroke. These findings highlight moderate-to-severe preoperative anemia as a potential independent prognostic marker for identifying high-risk patients. Furthermore, incorporating the severity of anemia into preoperative risk stratification may aid in tailoring perioperative cardiac assessment and optimization strategies, potentially mitigating the risk of adverse outcomes following TCAR.

Hemicorporectomy, or translumbar amputation, is a radical surgical procedure in which the lower half of the body is removed. To date, 79 cases have been reported in the literature. We conducted a systematic review of the literature of articles published in peer-reviewed journals after 1990 on independent cases of hemicorporectomies. Individual case reports published before 1990 were excluded; however, a review paper from 1990 was included as a retrospective cohort and a source of comparison. Twenty-seven studies with an average follow-up period of 5.2 years reported on 40 patients who underwent hemicorporectomy from 1990 to 2021. Average age at surgery was 36.8 years, and 82.5% were male. The most common indications for the procedure were osteomyelitis of the pelvis (35%), squamous cell carcinoma (22.5%), and trauma (12.5%). Trauma had the lowest mortality rate (20%), while osteomyelitis had the highest (39%). This systematic review of 40 hemicorporectomy cases between 1990 and 2022 shows promising results, with many patients achieving significant recovery milestones, such as mobility and employment. These findings suggest that, despite its radical nature, the procedure can be a safe option for critical patients with no other feasible alternatives.

Older surgical patients experience longer hospital stays and a higher risk of morbidity and mortality than their younger counterparts. Frailty (19.6% of cohort) and multimorbidity (63.1% of cohort) increase these risks. The 3rd Sprint National Anaesthesia Project (SNAP-3) describes the impact of frailty and multimorbidity on postoperative outcomes.

We conducted a prospective observational cohort study over 5 days in 2022 aiming to recruit all UK patients aged ≥60 yr undergoing surgery (excluding minor procedures). Data included patient characteristics, clinical variables, Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), multimorbidity (two or more comorbidities), length of stay (LOS), postoperative delirium, morbidity, and mortality. Quantile regression and mixed effects logistic regression were used to analyse relationships.

We recruited 7129 patients from 214 hospitals. Increasing frailty was associated with longer LOS, higher odds of delirium, morbidity, and mortality ≥1 yr, with a clear increase noted from CFS of 4 (19.0% of cohort). Amongst those without multimorbidity, individuals with CFS score of 4 had longer admissions than non-frail individuals (median LOS 0.75 days longer, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.34-1.16), increasing to 2.69 days longer for CFS 5 (95% CI 0.76-4.62). Multimorbidity increased the odds of postoperative morbidity by 46% (adjusted odds ratio 1.46, 95% CI 1.24-1.73), but there was no evidence for multimorbidity impacting LOS, delirium, or mortality.

SNAP-3 highlights the impact of frailty on postoperative outcomes. Multimorbidity had less impact, with an effect on postoperative morbidity the only one to have strong statistical evidence. The impact of these conditions must be discussed with older patients considering surgical intervention.

Non-elective colorectal surgeries are associated with an increased risk of complications compared to elective procedures, which is accentuated amongst geriatric patients. This study examines racial/ethnic disparities in rates of elective versus non-elective colorectal procedures among geriatric patients.

This retrospective cohort study included data from patients aged ≥65 registered in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Using multivariate logistic regression, we examined associations between race/ethnicity and elective versus non-elective surgical status.

Among 79,497 patients included, 24,544 (30.9 ​%) received non-elective colorectal surgery. 81.1 ​% of patients were White, 8.93 ​% were Black, 5.3 ​% were Hispanic, 4.1 ​% were Asian, and 0.6 ​% were NAPI. Multivariate analysis revealed higher odds ratios for receiving non-elective surgery amongst Black and Hispanic patients (Black ​= ​1.38, 95 ​% CI 1.30-1.47, p ​< ​0.01; Hispanic ​= ​1.54, 95 ​% CI 1.43-1.67, p ​< ​0.01).

Black and Hispanic geriatric patients were more likely to receive non-elective procedures.

Comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) and care has shown benefits for frail older adults across various care settings. However, its integration into routine care within a surgical context remains limited. An ongoing randomised controlled multicentre study will evaluate the effects of a period of preoperative optimisation (up to eight weeks), involving interprofessional CGA and care, in addition to routine care before colorectal cancer resection surgery. If this approach proves favourable, it could potentially be incorporated into routine surgical care. To facilitate implementation, it is crucial to explore and understand participants' perceptions of taking part in a preoperative CGA and care intervention.

To describe how frail older adults with colorectal cancer experience participation in a preoperative CGA and care intervention.

This qualitative, descriptive study was part of a randomised controlled multi-centre study. In total, 20 semi-structured interviews were conducted with frail older adults undergoing a CGA and care intervention before colorectal cancer surgery. The data were analysed using inductive qualitative content analysis.

Frail older adults with colorectal cancer experienced participation in preoperative CGA and care as an integral part of an intervention. They adopted an opportunity mindset when deciding to participate. Throughout the intervention, they observed the team working collaboratively and actively involving them in the optimisation process, enhancing their readiness for surgery by the end of the period.

The findings indicated that frail older adults with colorectal cancer viewed the preoperative CGA and care intervention as a meaningful opportunity for improvement and a chance to extend life. Their active involvement and the collaborative efforts of the care team during the intervention were crucial in enhancing their understanding, manageability, and readiness for surgery. They valued the opportunity to make active choices when appropriate and appreciated having the right to delegate decisions to healthcare professionals. From a frail older adult's perspective, team-based approaches in preoperative care, such as CGA and care, offer benefits in terms of involvement and satisfaction. However, the thorough evaluation of postoperative outcomes remains necessary.

OSF registry: https://osf.io/ch49n , registered on Sep 04, 2023.

Background/Objectives: Nonacute subdural hematomas (naSDHs) are a prevalent intracranial pathology, particularly in older people, due to increased brain atrophy, fall risk, and anticoagulant use. This study examines the impact of frailty on the surgical outcomes of craniotomy for naSDH over 20 years. Methods: Data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) from 2000 to 2021 were analyzed, including 251,597 patients who underwent cranial decompression for naSDH. Patients were selected using specific ICD codes. Frailty was calculated using the modified frailty index (mFI-5 and mFI-11) and the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Outcomes were compared using descriptive statistics and multivariable regression models. Results: 251,597 patients underwent craniotomy, with a mean age of 69.2 years. The cohort exhibited significant comorbid conditions, reflected in a mean Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) of 3.8, and a high frailty prevalence, with 23.49% of patients classified as frail and 20.14% as severely frail. The CCI demonstrated the highest predictive value for adverse outcomes, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.6346 for mortality and 0.6804 for complications. Frailty indices (mFI-5 and mFI-11) were also strongly associated with increased mortality (p < 0.001), complications (p < 0.001), and extended length of stay (p < 0.001). Age was not a significant predictor of outcomes. Conclusions: This study highlights the moderate impact of frailty on surgical outcomes for naSDH.

BackgroundFrailty in patients undergoing surgery is strongly associated with postoperative complications. The risk analysis index (RAI) is a validated model for frailty that has been shown to predict short and long-term outcomes. Through utilization of the Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI), this study examined the application of the VQI-derived RAI in acute limb ischemia (ALI) patients undergoing open bypass lower extremity revascularization.MethodsThis is a longitudinal retrospective cohort study conducted on patients undergoing revascularization for ALI from the VQI. Using preoperative variables, an RAI score was calculated for each patient, and they were stratified into six cohorts: ≤20, 21-25, 26-30, 31-35, 35-40, and ≥41. A binary forward multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the risk in each cohort on postoperative outcomes (mortality, amputation, surgical site infection, bypass revision, and discharge destination).ResultsThe VQI dataset included 3,620 patients (72.1% male) with an average age of 65 ± 12 years. After conducting a binary forward multivariate logistic regression, frailty was not associated with amputation, surgical site infection, or bypass revision. However, frailty at the highest vs lowest RAI score was significantly associated with 3.26 higher times the odds of mortality and 0.32 lower times the odds of being discharged home.ConclusionFrailty, modeled by the RAI, was demonstrated to be associated with postoperative outcomes in a linear manner in ALI patients undergoing open bypass lower extremity revascularization. Since this is one of the first times a long-term outcomes national database such as the VQI was utilized to study this topic, our research supports the incorporation of the RAI as a screening tool for ALI patients to help guide postoperative care and prognosis and guide shared decision-making in whether to pursue limb salvage or primary amputation.

The Geriatric 8 (G8) screening tool consists of eight questions and is widely used to assess geriatric frailty. This study aimed to compare laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy outcomes in patients aged >70 years with high and low G8 scores.

Patients who underwent laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy at a single center between 2017 and 2022 were included in this study. Patient background and perioperative outcomes were evaluated in two groups: low G8 (<14) and high G8 (≥14). The effects of age and body mass index (BMI) were assessed using logistic regression models adjusted for inverse-probability treatment weighting in the low G8 and high G8, respectively.

In total, 37 cases were categorized as low G8 and 30 cases as high G8. Significant differences in patient background were found in terms of age, BMI, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status, presence of dementia, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Significant differences in perioperative outcomes were observed in the operative time and number of lymph node dissections. Postoperative delirium and eGFR were significantly higher in the low G8 group. The high G8 group showed significantly higher recurrence-free survival and overall survival rates than the low G8 group. After adjustment using the inverse-probability treatment weighting method, postoperative delirium and eGFR were significantly higher in the low G8 group but there were no significant differences in recurrence-free survival rates, cancer-specific survival, or overall survival.

After adjusting for age and BMI, preoperative G8 had a different frequency of postoperative delirium but had no effect on prognosis. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2025; 25: 694-700.

Given the increasing complexity of surgical patients, their evaluation within a Complex Surgical Patient Area (APQC) is essential. This study aims to present the functioning of the APQC and analyse its outcomes.

Between 2022 and 2024, 73 patients were evaluated, with a mean age of 72.8 ± 10 years. Of these, 97.3% were ASA ≥ III, and 41.1% had a Clinical Frailty Score ≥4. The evaluation centered on a multidisciplinary committee responsible for determining the patient's operability and guiding the intrahospital circuit. During postoperative evolution, patient follow-up was carried out by two complementary teams in continuous communication. Failure to Rescue (FTR) was defined as the death of a patient following one or more serious complications.

The main reason for including patients in the CSPA was multimorbidity in 53.4% of cases and a specific pathology in 28.8%. In 31.5% of cases, the intervention was ruled out, with one-year survival below 40%. Among the 35 operated patients, the Comprehensive Complication Index (CCI) was 18.034 ± 21.94, the average hospital stay was 14.34 ± 20.15 days, and the readmission rate was 25.7%. The FTR rate was 12.5%.

Current data suggest a positive impact of the APQC on the evolution of complex patients. A larger patient sample is needed for a detailed analysis of the factors where APQC activities may have the greatest influence.

Bariatric surgery is an effective treatment for obesity and its associated comorbidities. However, the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) for elderly and frail populations remain uncertain.

To validate the efficacy and safety of LSG for elderly and frail patients and to assess its impact on overweight and obesity-related comorbidities.

A retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing LSG at a university-affiliated single center between 2009 and 2022 from a prospectively maintained database. Patients were categorized into two cohorts based on age and frailty index: elderly vs younger patients and frail vs non-frail groups. Preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative data were analyzed.

Frailty was associated with statistically significantly higher perioperative complications (%, Clavien-Dindo of III/IV, 8 vs 3) and lower treatment success rates (% Excess Body Weight Loss, six-month, year, and two-year, 58 vs 64, 73 vs 82, 72 vs 81, and 63 vs 76, respectively). Age was not shown to alter the safety or efficacy of the operation.

While LSG is a viable option for elderly and frail patients, frailty is a significant predictor of treatment outcomes. A comprehensive assessment of individual factors, including frailty status, is essential for informed decision-making before surgery.

Pre-operative frailty adversely affects morbidity and mortality after emergency laparotomy (EmLap), especially in older adults (65 years and above). Little is known about frailty after EmLap. We explored the change in frailty status from pre- to post-EmLap and any influence on discharge destination.

EmLap patients aged ≥ 65years from an acute surgical site were recruited from May 2022 to April 2023. Prospective data collection included demographics, frailty, mortality and discharge destination. Frailty was assessed using the Rockwood Clinical Frailty Scale at pre-EmLap and day-90 post-EmLap (< 4 as non-frail, 4 as pre-frail and > 4 as frail). EmLap patients with no 90-day follow-up were excluded. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered significant.

63 EmLap patients were included in the study. The median age was 75 years (range 65-91 years) with 36 (57.1%) females. Eleven (17.5%) were living with frailty pre-EmLap, and 10 (15.9%) developed new frailty by day-90 post-EmLap. Pre-EmLap, all patients came from home with 20.6% of the frail and pre-frail group having a package of care service (POC) in place. On 90-day post-EmLap, 1 was still an inpatient but 25.8% had a change in discharge destination: care home (n = 1), home with new POC (n = 2) and home with increased POC (n = 13). Of the 16 patients with change of discharge destination, 9 (56.3%) were frail pre-EmLap. There was a significant association between pre-EmLap frailty and change in home circumstances on discharge (p < 0.00001).

Emergency surgery can increase a patient's frailty status and significantly increases care requirements and social support after hospital discharge. Frailty assessment needs to be performed before and after admission in all EmLap patients to improve post-EmLap care planning and patient expectations.

With the increasing number of surgeries performed globally, due in part to population aging and the rise of degenerative diseases, post-surgery rehabilitation is often necessary. Rehabilitation programs traditionally include structured physical therapy, pain management, and psychological support. Recent evidence suggests that incorporating complementary approaches, such as spa-based interventions, can further optimize recovery. Spa therapies have demonstrated potential in reducing inflammation, alleviating pain, reducing postoperative edema and promoting motor recovery. Moreover, beyond the physical benefits, the environment of spa facilities can positively influence psychological well-being, reducing anxiety and enhancing adherence to rehabilitation protocols. This paper explores the physiological and clinical benefits of thermal mineral-rich water therapies in post-surgical rehabilitation, proposing their integration as a valuable adjunct to conventional rehabilitation strategies.

Postoperative complications (PCs) are a major cause of mortality following elective major abdominal surgery (EMAS). The increasing complexity of abdominal procedures, particularly in oncology, may significantly affect patient outcomes. However, this has also introduced a higher variability in postoperative management, and the use of tailored approaches to address critical issues such as hemodynamic stabilization, infection management, and respiratory failure. While elective admission to intensive care units (ICU) is a standard practice to manage high-risk surgical patients, ICU resource allocation is often influenced by local practices and bed availability.This document presents a framework for preoperative ICU admission planning after EMAS. It focuses on the identification of patient and surgical risk factors-using established scoring systems-and provides statements to determine ICU admission. The aim is to optimize resource allocation, reduce PCs, and prevent unplanned ICU admissions. This good clinical practice statement was developed through a multidisciplinary panel formed by selected members coming from SIAARTI (Italian Society of Anesthesia Analgesia Resuscitation and Intensive Care), SIC (Italian Society of Surgery) and ANIARTI (National Association of Critical Area Nurses).The designed scientific board developed, through a systematic literature review and a consensus methodology, a roadmap for defining the priorities of perioperative care based on the complexity of the patient and the surgical procedure. Eventually, the panel worked out statements about six voted queries that could have supported the preoperative indication to postoperative ICU admission.Evaluation of patients' characteristics, comorbidities, and surgical factors are all essential to plan ICU admission for immediate postoperative patient care after EMAS.The presence and severity of comorbidities, assessed through various severity scores, play a crucial role in predicting PCs and guiding ICU admission decisions. Tools such as the American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status, Charlson Comorbidity Index, and Rockwood Frailty Index, along with surgical risk scores and intraoperative events, help define the need for intensive care. Preoperative frailty assessment-achieved using the Clinical Frailty Scale-is essential to anticipate postoperative care needs. Finally, during the postoperative phase, continuous monitoring and reassessment in the post-anesthesia care unit are key to determine whether ICU admission is required. Establishing high-dependency units and tailored care pathways based on individual patient needs and available resources will enhance patient outcomes and optimize postoperative care.

To determine the relationship between anxiety before coronary angiography and comfort after coronary angiography in people over 65 years of age.

A descriptive cross-sectional study.

The study population consisted of patients aged 65 years and older who agreed to participate in the study and underwent coronary angiography. The study was carried out on a total of 201 patients. Data for the study were collected using the Sociodemographic and Medical Information Form, Surgical Fear Questionnaire (SFQ), Early Postoperative Comfort Scale, Visual Anxiety Scale (VAS), and Angiography Information Form. Pearson's test was used to determine the direction of the relationship between comfort after angiography and fear and anxiety before angiography. Multivariate linear regression program was used for different orders of magnitude between predictors of comfort rates.

A negative and low-level correlation was found between Early Postoperative Comfort Scale and short-term SFQ, long-term SFQ, total SFQ, and VAS. Variables and scale scores that showed statistically significant differences in predicting patient comfort after angiography in univariate analyses were evaluated using stepwise multiple linear regression analysis. The best model for the postangiography comfort score was created in step 4. Increasing age, the presence of a chronic disease, and high levels of anxiety and fear before angiography were found to be negative predictors of comfort after angiography.

Comfort after angiography was reduced by high fear and anxiety before angiography, increasing age, and the presence of chronic disease. This study highlights the importance of anxiety management and individualized care before angiography in older people.

Older adults with frailty have high risk for poor postoperative outcomes.

To evaluate the feasibility of a multimodal prehabilitation program in older adults with frailty awaiting hip or knee replacement.

Parallel two-arm randomized controlled pilot trial.

Community-dwelling older adults with frailty awaiting joint replacement aged ≥60 years recruited from the Musculoskeletal Central Intake and Assessment Centre (MSK CIAC), Ontario.

Exercise, protein and vitamin D supplements, and medication review.

Feasibility was assessed based on predefined progression criteria for recruitment, retention, data completion and adherence to intervention components. Clinical outcomes including Oxford Knee and Hip Scores, frailty index, Short Physical Performance Battery and health-related quality of life were collected at baseline, 1-week preoperative, 6-weeks and 6-months postoperative and were evaluated using generalized linear mixed models for repeated measures.

A total of 69 participants were enrolled. Recruitment rate was 35 %. Participants' mean age was 74 (standard deviation (SD): 7.5); 51 % were prefrail and 36 % were frail. Participant retention was 81 %, and data completion was ≥80 %. Mean adherence to strength exercises was 4 days (95 % confidence interval (CI): 3-5 days/week), balance 3 days (95 % CI: 2-4 days/week), and flexibility 3 days (95 % CI: 3-4 days/week). Adherence to vitamin D intake was 82 % (95 % CI: 73-92 %), and medication review consultation completion was 86 % (95 % CI: 68-95 %). These outcomes met the target values for feasibility success. The Oxford Knee Score at 6-months postoperative 8.78 (95 % CI: 0.40-17.16) showed a clinically meaningful and statistically significant difference between treatment groups. There were also indications of clinically relevant changes for frailty and quality of life post-surgery.

This trial provides strong evidence of feasibility and indications of improvements in postoperative clinical outcomes. Challenges to implementation and adherence were identified that can inform modifications to study design for future trials.

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02885337. Registered August 31, 2016. https://classic.

gov/ct2/show/NCT02885337.

The higher prevalence of multiple chronic conditions and frailty among older adults may increase the physiologic demand required for wound healing after a major lower extremity amputation (LEA). After below knee amputations (BKA), patients generally have improved prosthetic fitting rates, postoperative ambulation, and quality of life compared to an above knee amputation (AKA). However, the benefit of a BKA must be weighed against the risk of wound complications. The purpose of this study is to examine the association between advanced age and wound healing in our contemporary cohort of patients who underwent LEA.

Our study reviewed all patients who received LEA at 2 major academic healthcare systems between January 2015 and December 2022. Patients with prior ipsilateral LEA were excluded. The exposure of interest was advanced age, defined as age over 80 years old, and the primary outcome was time to wound healing (defined as clinical documentation of a healed amputation incision). Chi-squared test was used to evaluate advanced age and prosthetic fitting after LEA and Cox proportional hazard models were fit to examine the relationship between advanced age and time to wound healing after a LEA.

Among 597 patients who underwent LEA, 8.9% (n = 53) were over the age of 80. Over one-third of all patients underwent AKA (n = 235, 39.4%) and patients with advanced age represented 12.3% of this group. There was no statistically significant difference detected between the proportion of those with advanced age who were fit for prosthetic compared to those under age 79 who were fit for prosthetic (47.1% vs 58.5%, P = 0.11). The median time to wound healing was faster among those with advanced age, even when stratified by level of LEA (Table 1). Advanced age was associated with faster wound healing (hazard ratio [HR] 1.42; 95% CI, 1.06-1.87).

In our cohort of patients, those with advanced age healed faster than their younger counterparts at both levels of LEA and were equally likely to receive a prosthetic after LEA. Age alone should not be used as a factor in determining eligibility to undergo LEA or receipt of prosthetic. Future studies will evaluate other clinical characteristics that are associated with successful wound healing among adults 80 and older.

Both preoperative frailty and postoperative delirium (POD) are associated with higher risk of postoperative complications. But it is unclear if the effect of preoperative frailty on postoperative complications was mediated by POD.

This study was a mediation analysis of a pooled database. Patients aged ≥ 60 years who underwent elective non-cardiac surgery were enrolled. Preoperative frailty was defined as the modified frailty index (mFI) ≥ 0.27. POD was assessed twice daily within the first 3 days using the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) for patients without intubation and the CAM for intensive care unit (CAM-ICU) for intubated patients. Major complications within postoperative 30 days were screened. Mediation analysis was employed to explore the relationships between frailty, POD, and postoperative complications.

A total of 4684 patients were included. The prevalence of frailty was 10.4% (489/4684). In comparison with non-frail patients, frail patients had a higher incidence of POD (12.7% [62/489] vs 6.5% [271/4195], RR = 2.102, 95% CI 1.568-2.819, P < 0.001) and more postoperative complications (21.5% [105/489] vs 16.7% [701/4195], RR = 1.363, 95% CI 1.082-1.716, P = 0.008). The adjusted total and direct associations between frailty and postoperative complications were 5.8% (adjusted β, 95% CI, 1.8-9.5%; P < 0.001) and 5.0% (adjusted β, 95% CI, 1.1-8.7%; P = 0.004), respectively. A significant indirect association via POD was observed (adjusted β = 0.8%; 95% CI, 0.3-1.4%; P < 0.001), accounting for 13.8% of the total effect.

Preoperative frailty is associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications, mediated in part by early POD, in elderly patients following non-cardiac surgery. Given the modest effect size, further research is warranted to confirm these findings.

Advancements in surgical care have made it possible to offer cardiac surgery to an older and frailer patient cohort. Frailty has been recognised as a prognostic indicator that impacts post-operative recovery and patient outcomes. The aim of this study is to identify frailty assessment tools, evaluate the impact of frailty on post-operative outcomes, and explore strategies to optimise care for frail patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

A comprehensive literature search was performed across PubMed, MEDLINE, and SCOPUS to identify articles reporting post-operative outcomes related to frail patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Measurement tools such as gait speed, the Clinical Frailty Scale, Fried frailty phenotype, deficit accumulation frailty index and the Short Physical Performance Battery can be used to assess frailty. Frailty has been reported to increase the risk of post-operative morbidity and mortality. Multiple studies have also reported the association between frailty and an increased length of intensive care unit and hospital stays, as well as an increased risk of post-operative delirium. It is important to perform a comprehensive frailty assessment and implement perioperative optimisation strategies to improve outcomes in this patient population. Pre-operative strategies that can be considered include adequate nutritional support, cardiac prehabilitation, and assessing patients using a multidisciplinary team approach with geriatric involvement. Post-operatively, interventions such as early recognition and treatment of post-operative delirium, nutrition optimisation, early planning for cardiac rehabilitation, and occupational therapy can support patients' recovery and reintegration into daily activities.

The early identification of frail patients during the perioperative period is essential for risk stratification and tailored management strategies to minimise the impact of frailty on outcomes following cardiac surgery.

Frailty among inpatients increases risk for hospital-associated disability and death. Yet, frailty is not regularly screened in acute care due to the lack of standardized methods, the complexity of frailty, and time and energy required of hospital personnel. Thus, screening with routinely collected data provides an opportunity to assess frailty across inpatient populations.

To calculate normative values for Hospital Frailty Risk Score (HFRS) among adult inpatients in the USA based on age, sex, and race.

A retrospective cross-sectional analysis of the 2018 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database.

US adult inpatients aged 18y + with a focus on patients aged at least 45.

Hospital Frailty Risk Score (HFRS) is a validated measure that uses ICD-10 codes to calculate frailty risk among hospitalized patients.

Mean HFRS significantly increased with increasing age across sex and race (p < 0.001). Among the oldest age groups 65y + , mean and median normative values were similar between male and female inpatients (mean HFRS range, 6.71-9.62; median HFRS range, 5.40-8.70), and Black inpatients had the highest frailty risk compared to other races (mean HFRS range = 7.56-10.47; median HFRS range = 6.30-9.50). Asian/Pacific Islander inpatients had similar frailty risk to Black inpatients among those 90y + (mean HFRS = 10.48; median HFRS = 9.50).

The US national norms for HFRS provide a standardized reference tool for comparing frailty risk among clinical and research inpatient populations to a typical hospitalized adult for their age, sex, and race.

Advanced age, cancer, and surgery contribute to functional decline, with concurrent cancer and surgery exacerbating this decline due to slower recovery and adverse outcomes.

To investigate the association between preoperative frailty and intrinsic capacity and postoperative functional recovery and quality of life in older patients surgically treated for cancer.

This longitudinal study at a tertiary care medical center included 74 patients 75 years and older undergoing elective surgery for malignancies, excluding those with terminal-stage cancer. Data on demographic variables, Cumulative Illness Rating Scale for Geriatrics, Clinical Frailty Scale, and intrinsic capacity were collected at admission. The Minimum Data Set Activities of Daily Living (MDS-ADL) and EuroQoL 5-dimension 3-level questionnaire (EQ5D) were assessed at admission, after operation, and 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after the operation for cancer.

The mean age of the 74 participants was 80.3 ± 4.6 years, and 56.8% were female. The generalized estimating equation showed that an increased preoperative Clinical Frailty Scale score was significantly associated with worsened MDS-ADL (adjusted β = 1.25; 95% confidence interval = 0.39-2.11; P = .004) and decreased EQ5D score after surgery for cancer (adjusted β = -0.04; 95% confidence interval = -0.07 to -0.01; P = .004). No significant associations were observed between intrinsic capacity and postoperative MDS-ADL or EQ5D scores.

This study demonstrated that frailty is a better predictor of postoperative functional recovery and quality of life than intrinsic capacity in older cancer patients.

Identifying frailty preoperatively can help healthcare providers better anticipate recovery challenges and tailor postsurgical care to improve outcomes.

Perioperative medicine aims to improve care for high-risk patients, and is endorsed by national guidelines in the UK and Republic of Ireland (ROI). However, comprehensive perioperative medicine services are not yet uniformly available. This survey addressed the current state of perioperative medicine services for older surgical patients in the UK and ROI and how these services align with current national guidance.

A survey was distributed electronically to all publicly administered UK and ROI hospitals performing surgical procedures. The survey examined perioperative care against national recommendations regarding service organisation and conduct.

Of 339 eligible hospitals, 54.9% (186/339) responded. A hospital frailty lead was appointed in 54% (101/186) of hospitals, and 9% (16/186) had a designated anaesthetist for cognitive impairment. Hospital anaesthetic services outside the theatre were focused on preoperative assessment clinics (146/172), with few reporting routine postoperative involvement (17/166). Nurse-led preoperative assessments of frailty, cognition, and delirium risk were conducted in 49.5% (90/182), 44.3% (78/176), and 13.7% (24/175) of hospitals, respectively. The Clinical Frailty Scale was used in 87.0% (147/169) of hospitals for frailty screening. The 4 'A's Test (45.7% [85/186]) and Abbreviated Mental Test (43.0% [80/186]) were the preferred cognitive assessment tools.

The survey highlights the variation in perioperative medicine services that exist for older surgical patients despite national guidelines advocating their widespread implementation. Opportunity exists to develop interspecialty perioperative services further and promote identification of frailty, cognitive impairment, and delirium, all of which negatively impact postoperative outcomes for older surgical patients.

As the population ages, the number of total joint arthroplasty (TJA) performed is rising, making early identification of patients at risk for adverse events essential to improving care and reducing healthcare costs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) and postoperative outcomes in elective total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

We conducted a retrospective study of prospectively collected data regarding 328 TKAs and 294 THAs at a single institution from February 2019 to February 2020. Patient demographic data were harvested, and the preoperative CFS scores were calculated for all patients and analyzed to identify their associations with the length of stay (LOS), the need for admission to an inpatient rehabilitation unit (IPRU), postoperative complications and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs).

Robust patients (CFS < 3) had a significantly shorter LOS than their non-robust (CFS > 3) counterparts in both the TKA and THA groups (3.7 vs. 5.2 days, P < 0.001, and 3.8 vs. 5.8 days, P < 0.001, respectively). IPRU admission rates were significantly higher in non-robust than in robust patients. Specifically, none of the robust TKA patients required IPRU admission, whereas up to 39 non-robust patients (11.9%) did (P < 0.001). Similarly, for THA, 9 robust (5.7%) and 30 non-robust (21.9%) patients were admitted to an IPRU (P < 0.001). Non-robust patients had a significantly higher complication rate for both THA (11.0% vs. 6.4%, P = 0.03) and TKA (8.7% vs. 2.6%, P = 0.11). Both cohorts showed significant improvements in PROMs post-surgery, with non-robust patients experiencing greater relative gains than robust patients.

CFS is a strong predictor of the hospital length of stay, IPRU admission, and complication rates following TJA. This study also highlighted the link between frailty and PROMs in joint replacement patients. The CFS may be a valuable tool in the preoperative assessment of elective THA and TKA.

Frailty has been associated with increased mortality and complications among liver cancer patients. However, the frailty prevalence and outcomes in frail populations with primary liver cancer have not been systematically validated.

Embase, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched for eligible studies that explored the prevalence and impact of frailty in liver cancers from inception until October 26, 2023. The pooled prevalence, hazard ratio (HR), and odds ratio (OR) corresponding to 95 % confidence intervals (CI) in mortality and major complication estimates were conducted.

A total of 18 studies containing 38,157 primary liver cancer patients were included. The prevalence of frailty in liver cancer was 35 % (95 % CI = 25-46; p = 0.000). Frailty was associated with an increased hazard ratio for 30-day mortality (HR = 7.03; 95 % CI = 0.71-69.45; p = 0.97) and 90-day mortality (HR = 4.59; 95 % CI = 1.76-11.95; p = 0.38). Furthermore, frailty was associated with an increased odds ratio for major complications in liver cancer patients (OR = 4.01; 95 % CI = 2.25-7.14; p = 0.49).

Frailty is frequent in liver cancer patients and may predict adverse outcomes in primary liver cancer patients with hepatectomy. Our findings highlight the importance of frailty assessment in this population.

Elderly frailty patients are at particular risk of sedation-related adverse events (SRAEs) during sedation. This study aimed to assess whether intravenous lidocaine could reduce the incidence of SRAEs in elderly frailty patients undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).

A total of 210 elderly frailty patients scheduled for ERCP were randomly divided into two groups: lidocaine and control. Patients in the lidocaine group received intravenous lidocaine (1.0 mg/kg) before anesthesia induction, followed by continuous intravenous infusion (2.0 mg/kg/h) during ERCP. The control group received an equal volume of saline solution. The primary endpoint was the composite incidence of SRAEs during ERCP. Secondary endpoints were propofol consumption, VAS score, endoscopists' and patients' satisfaction scores and lidocaine-related adverse events and so on.

The composite incidence of SRAEs in the lidocaine group was significantly lower than in the control group (41.05% vs. 21.86%, p < 0.05). The propofol requirement (436.11 ± 118.90, 388.54 ± 149.65. p < 0.001) and VAS score of patients (3.02 ± 1.07, 2.54 ± 1.10. p < 0.05) in the lidocaine group were significantly lower than those in the control group. The endoscopists' satisfaction scores (7.77 ± 1.12, 8.23 ± 1.10. p < 0.05) and patients' satisfaction scores (8.53 ± 0.95, 8.98 ± 0.86. p < 0.05) in lidocaine group were significantly higher than those in the control group.

Intravenous lidocaine can significantly decrease the incidence of SRAEs for ERCP procedures in elderly frailty patients, with no increase in lidocaine or other related adverse events.

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (Trial ID: ChiCTR2300067796, https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=185763 ).

Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are an important component of evaluating patient health and are increasingly utilized in orthopedics. However, their use remains inconsistent among orthopedic subspecialties, with only 21% of orthopedic trauma surgeons reporting regular use of PROMs in their practice. While tools for quantifying patient distress in response to pain have been developed, they are often difficult to apply due to extensive questioning and the need for prospective implementation. The purpose of this study was to propose a novel retrospective technique to measure the Pain Distress Index (PDI) using two common PROMs: the visual analog scale (VAS) and the short musculoskeletal functional assessment (SMFA).

A total of 797 patients who underwent operative repair of a tibial plateau fracture or revision of long bone nonunion were included. To quantify PDI, a linear trend line was calculated from a scatter plot of SMFA Bothersome Index (BI) vs. VAS pain scores at three months postoperatively. Reported SMFA BI was compared to predicted SMFA BI, and patients were stratified into three cohorts: "limited," "adequate," and "excellent" PDI.

In both cohorts, SMFA Function Index scores at 6 and 12 months postoperatively differed significantly among the limited, adequate, and excellent PDI levels (p < 0.0005, p < 0.0005). Worse PDI (indicating greater distress from pain) was associated with poorer SMFA Function Index scores.

The combination of SMFA BI and VAS scores may serve as a useful tool to quantify PDI without requiring an additional questionnaire. "Limited" PDI was associated with poorer functional outcomes at 6 and 12 months postoperatively. This method may help predict which patients are at risk for worse functional outcomes and could serve as a retrospective proxy for resilience in future research.

To develop a surgical risk calculator for older adults undergoing suprapubic tube (SPT) placement that specifically factors in frailty, a key predictor of surgical risk in this vulnerable and heterogenous population.

Medicare MedPAR, Outpatient, and Carrier files for beneficiaries undergoing SPT placement between 2014-2016 were examined. The Claims-Based Frailty Index (CFI), a validated measure of frailty, was used to calculate baseline frailty for each beneficiary. Stepwise regression models were used for each variable within the CFI and Charlson Comorbidity Index to determine the variables most highly predictive of postoperative complications. The most highly predictive variables were then combined into parsimonious categories. To ensure the prognostic accuracy for each outcome, calibration curves and tests of model fit, including C-statistics, Brier scores, and Spiegelhalter P-values were calculated.

A total of 26,999 beneficiaries were included. Among these, 39.1% were pre-frail, 36.8% were mildly frail, and 12.3% were moderately to severely frail. Thirteen prognostic variable categories were deemed highly predictive of postoperative complications of interest. All models demonstrated low Brier scores, indicating high model accuracy, and high C-statistic and Spiegelhalter P-values, consistent with excellent model discrimination and calibration, respectively. Excellent model fit was seen on calibration curves for each outcome.

UroARC is a novel surgical tool for older adults undergoing SPT placement that specifically factors in frailty. This risk calculator has high accuracy, calibration, and discrimination, and serves as a valuable resource to patients and clinicians for those undergoing consideration for SPT placement.

While chronological aging does not necessarily impair oncological outcomes after radical prostatectomy, the role of frailty remains less clear. This study aimed to evaluate whether frailty significantly affects early continence rates following radical prostatectomy and to explore the potential association between frailty and postoperative complications.

A retrospective cohort study of 212 patients undergoing radical prostatectomy was conducted. Preoperative frailty assessment employed a multimodal evaluation encompassing cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, and urinary systems, supplemented by conventional risk measures such as physical performance status and biochemical markers. The primary endpoint was early continence recovery, while secondary outcomes included 30-day postoperative complications.

Comparative analysis revealed no statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics, oncological outcomes, or complication rates between the open and robotic-assisted surgical cohorts. However, frailty was strongly associated with reduced early continence recovery, irrespective of surgical technique (p<0.001). No significant association was detected between frailty and 30-day postoperative complications (p=0.36).

This study highlights frailty as a pivotal predictor of early continence outcomes. The lack of association between frailty and postoperative complications suggests that comprehensive frailty assessment may be more relevant for anticipating functional recovery than predicting immediate surgical risks. These findings support integrating frailty evaluation into preoperative decision-making frameworks.

There is increasing evidence to support collaborative care and proactive comprehensive geriatric assessment and management in a number of surgical specialties. Data are lacking in older people under the care of plastic surgeons. This before/after study evaluates the impact of the introduction of a shared care model between geriatric medicine and plastic surgery in an Australian metropolitan teaching hospital.

A shared care model was implemented for all patients aged 75 years and older admitted electively and emergently under the plastic surgery team with patients admitted jointly under a plastic surgeon and geriatrician. Comprehensive geriatric assessment and management was undertaken on admission with tailored intervention along with regular inpatient review. The primary outcome of interest was rate of in-hospital complications. Secondary outcome measures included individual complications, length of stay, readmission, and discharge disposition.

A total of 123 consecutive patients were eligible for inclusion (63 pre-intervention, 60 intervention). The rate of complications was significantly lower in the intervention group (47.6% vs. 28.3%, P = 0.03). There was a non-significant reduction in rate of delirium and new discharge to residential aged care facility. Subgroup analysis of frailer patients (Clinical Frailty Scale ≥4) demonstrated a significant reduction in rates of delirium (44.4% vs. 15.6%, P = 0.02) and new institutionalization (18.5% vs. 0.0%, P = 0.02).

A shared care model between geriatricians and plastic surgeons has the potential to improve patient outcomes with the greatest benefit likely to be seen in older patients with frailty.

The rising prevalence of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) in the aging population underscores the need to reevaluate treatment options. This study examines obliterative procedures, specifically colpocleisis performed with (CH) and without (C) concomitant vaginal hysterectomy, as management strategies for frail, non-sexually active elderly patients with advanced prolapse.

This retrospective study analyzed data from patients who underwent either colpocleisis with concomitant vaginal hysterectomy (CH) or colpocleisis alone (C) at our institution between 2006 and 2020. Data were extracted from medical records to compare perioperative and postoperative outcomes. In addition, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and analgesic consumption during hospitalization were documented.

A total of 120 patients were included, with 48 undergoing CH and 72 undergoing C. The mean age was 74.5 ± 6.3 years. Patients in the C group were significantly older than those in the CH group (76.65 ± 6 vs. 71.3 ± 5.3 years, respectively; p < 0.0001). Ischemic heart disease (IHD) was significantly more prevalent in the C group (54.2 %) compared to the CH group (16.7 %, p < 0.0001). Postoperative hospital stay was significantly shorter in the C group (3.4 ± 1.1 vs. 4.07 ± 2 days, respectively; p = 0.001). Perioperative complications were infrequent and not significantly different between the two groups. Pain VAS scores on postoperative day 1 were significantly higher in the CH group (5.0 ± 1.5 vs. 3.0 ± 1.2, p < 0.0001), as was total postoperative analgesic use (p < 0.0001).

Both CH and C are well-tolerated for managing advanced POP in the elderly. However, the addition of vaginal hysterectomy is associated with increased pain, greater analgesic consumption, and longer hospital stay. These findings suggest that colpocleisis may be preferable for select frail elderly patients to minimize postoperative discomfort and recovery time.

Older adults undergoing surgery frequently have multiple comorbidities and reduced physical and cognitive reserves. This study aims to assess the effect of physical and cognitive frailty on long-term mortality in older patients undergoing elective non-cardiac surgery in a tertiary center.

Patients aged ≥65 years old admitted to surgical wards at the University of Malaya Medical Centre were recruited. Physical frailty and cognitive status were assessed using the Fried Frailty Index (FFI) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, respectively. Patients were stratified into six groups based on their frailty and cognitive status: Group 1, normal cognition and non-frail (reference group); Group 2, normal cognition and frail; Group 3, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and non-frail; Group 4, MCI and frail; Group 5, dementia and non-frail; and Group 6, dementia and frail.

A total of 406 patients with a mean FFI score of 1.1±1.2 were recruited. Predictors of mortality include male sex (hazard ratio [HR]=1.96; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14-3.37; p=0.015), presence of active malignancy (HR=3.86; 95% CI, 2.14-6.95; p<0.001), and high FFI scores (1.8±1.2 vs. 1.0±1.1; p=0.013). Compared to Group 1, long-term mortality risk was significantly increased in Group 4 (HR=3.17; 95% CI, 1.36-7.38) and Group 6 (HR=3.91; 95% CI, 1.62-9.43) patients.

The combination of physical frailty and cognitive impairment was associated with long-term mortality risk among older patients who underwent elective non-cardiac surgery. This highlights the importance of assessing physical frailty and cognitive function of all older surgical patients to guide targeted intervention, especially for those with impairments which may be potentially reversible.

To assess the prevalence of preoperative frailty in patients with oesophageal cancer and its impact on postoperative outcomes and overall survival.

A comprehensive computer-based search of the CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, CBM, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and CINAHL databases was conducted for articles related to preoperative frailty in patients with oesophageal cancer. The search was carried out from the time of the construction of the database to 20 April 2024. Data related to the prevalence of preoperative frailty in patients with oesophageal cancer and their postoperative outcomes and overall survival were extracted.

A total of 13 studies were included, including 12 cohort studies and 1 cross-sectional study involving 53 485 patients. Meta-analysis showed that the prevalence of preoperative frailty in patients with oesophageal cancer was 29.6% (95% CI 24.5% to 34.8%). Preoperative frailty increased the risk of postoperative mortality (HR 1.80, 95% CI 1.51 to 2.14, p<0.001), complications (HR 1.32, 95% CI 1.16 to 1.49, p<0.001) and 30-day readmission (HR 1.24, 95% CI 1.18 to 1.31, p<0.001), in patients with oesophageal cancer, but had no significant effect on overall survival (HR 1.28, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.68, p=0.08).

The prevalence of preoperative frailty is high in patients with oesophageal cancer, and preoperative frailty is strongly associated with increased adverse outcomes after surgery. Healthcare providers should identify preoperative frailty in patients with oesophageal cancer at an early stage and develop targeted intervention strategies to reduce the incidence of postoperative adverse outcomes.

CRD42024541051.

Introduction: The impact of colorectal surgery on older adults' (≥65 years) health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is rarely reported. Methods: This prospective multi-institutional cohort study involving 217 participants investigated factors affecting older colorectal cancer (CRC) patients' HRQoL following surgery with the EORTC QLQ-C30 and the HADS. Results: The trend of the global QoL and individual subscales show an overall dip in QoL from baseline to pre-discharge, before slowly rising until the 6-month mark. Baseline score of individual outcome measures was the only constant predictor of the outcome measure over time. Conclusion: Age was not found to be a significant predictor of HRQoL in older adults undergoing colorectal surgery, while baseline scores of individual outcome measures consistently predicted post-operative HRQoL scores. Interventions should be targeted at specific subgroups of older adults scheduled for colorectal surgery, such as those with lower baseline scores.

The prevalence of frailty is increasing as the global population continues to age. Frailty is associated with poor perioperative outcomes including increased morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study is to examine current practices and perspectives of anesthesiogists in Italy on the provision of care for elderly surgical patients with frailty.

We conducted a national survey. Data were collected via an online questionnaire distributed by the Italian Society of Anaesthesia, Analgesia, Resuscitation and Intensive Care (SIAARTI). Responses were collected over 24 weeks between October 2022 and March 2023.

Seven-hundred thirteen anesthetists completed the survey. A total of 39.8% (277) of respondents were working in university hospitals. Frailty scoring was routinely performed in 51.8% of care settings. Only 26.3% of organizations surveyed had a dedicated pathway for perioperative management of frail elderly patients. The most common method for frailty assessment was the subjective assessment by the anesthesiologist (58.3%). More than half of the participants reported the use of ERAS items in most cases. Almost half of respondents reported the use of postoperative screening tools for delirium (45% of respondents).

While these results point to the resistance to clinical implementation of frailty assessment, they also highlight the perceived need for careful management. This can help in identifying elderly patients who may require targeted perioperative management and in ensuring the preservation of cognitive and functional status.

Pre-injury frailty among older adults with trauma injuries is a predictor of increased morbidity and mortality.

We sought to determine the relationship between frailty status and the care trajectories of older adult patients who underwent frailty screening in the emergency department (ED).

Using a retrospective cohort design, we pooled trauma data from a single institutional trauma database from August 2020 to June 2023. We limited the data to adults 65 years and older, who had trauma injuries and frailty screening at ED presentation (N = 2,862). The predictor variable was frailty status, measured as either robust (score 0), pre-frail (score 1-2), or frail (score 3-5) using the FRAIL index. The outcome variables were measures of clinical care trajectory: trauma team activation, inpatient admission, ED discharge, length of hospital stay, in-hospital death, home discharge, and discharge to rehabilitation. We controlled for age, sex, race/ethnicity, health insurance type, body mass index, Charlson Comorbidity Index, injury type and severity, and Glasgow Coma Scale score. We performed multivariable logistic and quantile regressions to measure the influence of frailty on post-trauma care trajectories.

The mean (SD) age of the study population was 80 (8.9) years, and the population was predominantly female (64%) and non-Hispanic White (60%). Compared to those classified as robust, those categorized as frail had 2.5 (95% CI: 1.86-3.23), 3.1 (95% CI: 2.28-4.12), and 0.3 (95% CI: 0.23-0.42) times the adjusted odds of trauma team activation, inpatient admission, and ED discharge, respectively. Also, those classified as frail had significantly longer lengths of hospital stay as well as 3.7 (1.07-12.62), 0.4 (0.28-0.47), and 2.2 (95% CI: 1.71-2.91) times the odds of in-hospital death, home discharge, and discharge to rehabilitation, respectively.

Pre-injury frailty is a predictor of clinical care trajectories for older adults with trauma injuries.

Geriatric co-management is associated with a lower postoperative mortality among older adults with cancer. This might be due to a higher use of rehabilitation services such as physical therapy (PT) or occupational therapy (OT). In this study, we assess the relationship between geriatric co-management and PT /OT use.

This is a retrospective cohort study of adults aged 75 years and older with cancer who underwent elective surgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center between February 2015 and February 2018. We used two separate multivariable logistic regression models for PT and OT, adjusted for age at surgery, gender, American Society of Anesthesiology score, preoperative albumin, operative time, and estimated blood loss. We also evaluated the association between frailty and receipt of PT and or OT using separate models by additionally including frailty as a primary predictor.

Of the 1650 patients, 308 (19%) did not receive PT or OT, 747 (45%) received only PT, and 593 (36%) received both PT and OT. Geriatric co-management was significantly associated with higher PT use (OR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.19, 2.11, p = 0.002) and higher OT use (OR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.08, 1.71, p = 0.010). The associations between geriatric co-management and rehabilitation service remained after additional adjustment for frailty. Higher degree of frailty was also associated with higher PT use (OR = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.01, 1.22, p = 0.033) and higher OT use (OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.15, 1.34, p < 0.0001).

Geriatric co-management and frailty were associated with greater use of PT and OT. Future studies should investigate the impact of geriatric co-management on functional recovery.

Frailty, an age-related syndrome, is associated with poor post-operative outcomes. The impact of community-level social determinants of health (SDoH) on pre-operative frailty has not been investigated yet. We developed a machine learning model to predict pre-operative frailty using an institutional dataset and applied it to a more geographically diverse population from the OneFlorida+ Clinical Research Consortium. Computable phenotyping for SDoH stratification using unsupervised learning was employed to identify distinct patient profiles based on zip code-level SDoH characteristics. We applied multivariate logistic regression to examine the association between SDoH profiles and pre-operative frailty risk. Adverse community-level SDoH profiles are independently associated with higher pre-operative frailty risk; patients from the disadvantaged SDoH profile had 1.21 times higher odds (95% CI 1.16-1.26) of being frail compared to the advantaged SDoH cluster after adjusting for potential confounders. Considering patients' social context could improve pre-operative care and surgical outcomes, informing clinical practice and policies.

Frailty, a syndrome of decreased resilience to physiologic stress, has been associated with increased postoperative length of stay (LOS) for specific procedures. Yet, the literature lacks large-scale analyses examining the relationship between frailty and LOS across surgical procedure.

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients aged 65+ undergoing inpatient surgery including emergency procedures between 2015 and 2019 using American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP®) data. Frailty, measured by the modified 5-item frailty index (mFI-5), was categorized as non-frail (mFI-5 < 2) or frail (mFI-5 ≥ 2). We modeled LOS, adjusting for demographic variables, comorbidities, and surgical factors, and conducted a subgroup analysis based on emergency surgery status and surgical procedure type.

Among 1,254,809 patients, 29.0 % were frail. A higher proportion of frail patients were Black (10 % vs. 5.5 %), Hispanic (6.1 % vs. 3.8 %), of ASA class IV/V (23.3 % vs. 9.1 %), malnourished (2.7 % vs. 1.9 %), and underwent vascular surgery (16.5 % vs. 8.3 %). They experienced longer median LOS across all surgical procedures, except bariatric surgery. Unadjusted analysis revealed that mFI-5 scores of 4 and 5 were associated with increased median LOS by 3.5 days (95 % CI 3.36-3.64) and 4.64 days (95 % CI 3.96-5.32), respectively, compared to mFI-5 scores of 0. In adjusted analysis, frailty remained a significant risk factor for increased median LOS, with an mFI-5 score of 5 associated with a 3-day longer increase (95 % CI 2.79-3.22) compared to an mFI-5 score of 0. Subgroup analysis showed that each one-point increase in mFI-5 score had the strongest association with increased median LOS in emergency surgery (0.5 days, 95 % CI 0.48-0.52) and lower extremity bypass surgery (0.53 days, 95 % CI 0.47-0.59).

Frailty is an independent risk factor for prolonged postoperative LOS among older surgical patients, even after adjustment for patient and procedure covariates. Other independent risk factors for increased LOS include emergent surgery, malnutrition, and higher ASA class.