Influence of Frailty in Patients Undergoing Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography for Biliary Stone Disease: A Nationwide Study

Superiority of frailty over age in predicting outcomes among clostridium difficile patients: Evidence from national data

BACKGROUND

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) has become a significant healthcare issue with increasing morbidity and mortality in the US and Europe. Frailty, characterized by reduced physical reserves and resistance to stressors, is linked to poor outcomes but its impact on CDI patients remains underexplored. This study seeks to address this gap through a nationwide analysis.

METHODS

Using the National Readmission Database from 2016 to 2020, we employed the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision, Clinical Modifications codes to identify adult patients admitted with CDI. We further stratified CDI hospitalizations based on frailty. Utilizing a regression model, we assessed the impact of frailty on CDI outcomes.

RESULTS

We included 144,611 CDI patients of whom 98,167 (67.88 %) were frail. Multivariate analysis showed that frail CDI patients had significantly higher mortality (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 4.87), acute kidney injury requiring dialysis (aOR 9.50), septic shock (aOR 14.23), and intensive care unit admission (aOR 6.80). CDI-specific complications were more likely in frail patients, including toxic megacolon (aOR 10.22), intestinal perforation (aOR 2.30), need for colectomy (aOR 3.90) and CDI recurrence (aOR 3.65). Resource utilization, indicated by hospitalization charges, length of stay, and 30-day readmission rates, was greater among frail patients.

CONCLUSION

Our study underscores the significant association between frailty and various critical endpoints of CDI, including its incidence, mortality, and recurrence. Additionally, frailty independently predicts higher resource utilization and elevated 30-day readmission. Recognizing frailty as a determinant of CDI outcomes can aid clinicians in risk stratification and guide tailored interventions for this population.

Clinical Features and Prognosis of Acute Cholangitis in Octogenarians: A Prospective Comparative Study

Background: The data on acute cholangitis in the octogenarian population are very limited. This study aimed to examine the clinical characteristics of acute cholangitis and complications related to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in octogenarians. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted prospectively between July 2022 and December 2023 and included 250 patients aged 65 years and older. Patients eligible for the study were divided into two groups: those aged ≥80 years (octogenarian) and those aged 65-79 years (non-octogenarian). These two groups were compared in terms of the clinical characteristics of cholangitis and ERCP-related complications. In addition, factors associated with in-hospital mortality were evaluated. Results: Out of 250 patients, 87 (34.8%) were octogenarians and 163 (65.2%) were non-octogenarians. The median age was 76 (69-82) years. Although the octogenarian group had higher rates of severe illness and intensive care unit admissions (p < 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively), there were no significant differences in in-hospital mortality (p = 0.359) or ERCP-related complications (p = 0.417). Malignant etiology (odds ratio [OR]: 5.68, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.11-15.3), hypoalbuminemia (OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.07-0.45), and qSOFA score ≥ 2 (OR: 6.5, 95% CI: 1.7-24.5) were independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality. Conclusions: Being over 80 years old is not an indicator of poor outcomes, and ERCP can be safely performed on these patients. However, elderly patients with hypoalbuminemia, malignant etiology, or a qSOFA score of ≥2 should be closely monitored, regardless of their age.

Predictors of Morbidity, Mortality, and Hospital Utilization Among Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography-related Hospitalizations: A Five-year Nationwide Assessment

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to assess the hospital frailty risk score on the inpatient mortality, morbidity, and health care resource utilization among endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)-related hospitalizations.

BACKGROUND

Data regarding the inpatient mortality, morbidity, and health care resource utilization of ERCP among frail individuals remain limited.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, we compared the odds of inpatient mortality and morbidity of ERCP-related hospitalizations among individuals with low frailty scores, intermediate frailty scores (IFSs), and high frailty scores (HFSs).

RESULTS

Overall, 776,025 ERCP-related hospitalizations were recorded from 2016 to 2020. 552,045 had a low frailty score, whereas 217,875 had an IFS, and 6105 had an HFS. Frail individuals had a 5-fold increase in mortality [IFS: adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 4.81, 95% CI: 3.77-6.14; HFS: aOR = 4.62, 95% CI: 2.48-8.63]. An IFS was associated with a 24% increase in post-ERCP pancreatitis (aOR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.11-1.41), a 3-fold increase in post-ERCP bleeding (aOR = 2.59, 95% CI: 1.82-3.67), and a 2-fold increase in post-ERCP duct perforation (aOR = 1.91, 95% CI: 1.38-2.64). Frail individuals experienced higher odds of in-hospital morbidity, including secondary sepsis, respiratory failure, acute kidney injury, cerebrovascular accidents, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, our study presents strong evidence in support of using the hospital frailty risk score as an index to predict mortality and morbidity during ERCP-related hospitalizations. Additional caution is warranted in the management of frail individuals undergoing ERCP.

Impact of frailty on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography outcomes in nonagenarians: A United States national experience

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is an essential therapeutic tool for biliary and pancreatic diseases. Frail and elderly patients, especially those aged ≥ 90 years are generally considered a higher-risk population for ERCP-related complications.

AIM

To investigate outcomes of ERCP in the Non-agenarian population (≥ 90 years) concerning Frailty.

METHODS

This is a cohort study using the 2018-2020 National Readmission Database. Patients aged ≥ 90 were identified who underwent ERCP, using the international classification of diseases-10 code with clinical modification. Johns Hopkins’s adjusted clinical groups frailty indicator was used to classify patients as frail and non-frail. The primary outcome was mortality, and the secondary outcomes were morbidity and the 30 d readmission rate related to ERCP. We used univariate and multivariate regression models for analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 9448 patients were admitted for any indications of ERCP. Frail and non-frail patients were 3445 (36.46%) and 6003 (63.53%) respectively. Indications for ERCP were Choledocholithiasis (74.84%), Biliary pancreatitis (9.19%), Pancreatico-biliary cancer (7.6%), Biliary stricture (4.84%), and Cholangitis (1.51%). Mortality rates were higher in frail group [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.68, P = 0.02]. The Intra-procedural complications were insignificant between the two groups which included bleeding (aOR = 0.72, P = 0.67), accidental punctures/lacerations (aOR = 0.77, P = 0.5), and mechanical ventilation rates (aOR = 1.19, P = 0.6). Post-ERCP complication rate was similar for bleeding (aOR = 0.72, P = 0.41) and post-ERCP pancreatitis (aOR = 1.4, P = 0.44). Frail patients had a longer length of stay (6.7 d vs 5.5 d) and higher mean total charges of hospitalization ($78807 vs $71392) compared to controls (P < 0.001). The 30 d all-cause readmission rates between frail and non-frail patients were similar (P = 0.96).

CONCLUSION

There was a significantly higher mortality risk and healthcare burden amongst nonagenarian frail patients undergoing ERCP compared to non-frail. Larger studies are warranted to investigate and mitigate modifiable risk factors.

Understanding the role of frailty in local and systemic complications and healthcare resource utilization in acute pancreatitis: Findings from a national cohort

BACKGROUND

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a significant gastrointestinal cause of hospitalization with increasing incidence. Risk stratification is crucial for determining AP outcomes, but the association between frailty and AP outcomes is poorly understood. Moreover, age disparities in severity indices for AP complicate risk assessment. This study investigates frailty's impact on local and systemic complications in AP, readmission rates, and healthcare resource utilization.

METHODS

Using the National Readmission Database from 2016 to 2019, we identified adult AP patients and assessed frailty using the Frailty Risk Score. Our analysis included local and systemic complications, resource utilization, readmission rates, procedures performed, and hospitalization outcomes. Multivariate regression was employed, and statistical significance was set at P < 0.05 using Stata version 14.2.

RESULTS

Among 1,134,738 AP patients, 6.94 % (78,750) were classified as frail, with a mean age of 63.42 years and 49.71 % being female. Frail patients experienced higher rates of local complications (e.g., pseudocyst, acute pancreatic necrosis, walled-off necrosis) and systemic complications (e.g., pleural effusion, acute respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis, abdominal compartment syndrome) compared to non-frail patients. Frailty was associated with increased readmission rates and served as an independent predictor of readmission. Frail patients had higher inpatient mortality (7.11 % vs. 1.60 %), longer hospital stays, and greater hospitalization costs.

CONCLUSION

Frailty in AP patients is linked to elevated rates of local and systemic complications, increased mortality, and higher healthcare costs. Assessing frailty is crucial in AP management as it provides a valuable tool for risk stratification and identifying high-risk patients, thereby improving overall outcomes.