Utility of Frailty Screening Tools in Older Surgical Patients

Frailty Screening Using the Risk Analysis Index: A User Guide

The Risk Analysis Index (RAI) has emerged as the most thoroughly validated and flexible assessment of surgical frailty, proven feasible for at-scale bedside screening and available in a suite of tools, that effectively risk stratifies patients across a wide variety of clinical contexts and data sources. This user guide provides a definitive summary of the RAI's theoretical model, historical development, validation, statistical performance, and clinical interpretation, placing the RAI in context with other frailty assessments and emphasizing some of its advantages. Detailed instructions are provided for each RAI variant, along with a systematic review of existing RAI-related literature.

Frailty and the incidence of surgical site infection after total hip or knee arthroplasty: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Surgical site infection (SSI) remains a critical postoperative complication after total hip and knee arthroplasty (THA and TKA). Frailty, a condition characterized by decreased physiological reserve and increased vulnerability to stressors, may influence the risk of SSI in these patients. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the association between frailty and the incidence of SSI following THA or TKA.

METHODS

A systematic search of databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Wanfang, and CNKI was conducted to identify relevant studies. Data were extracted and pooled using a random-effects model to calculate the overall risk ratio (RR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

A total of ten studies comprising 1,036,787 patients met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis revealed that frail patients undergoing THA or TKA had a significantly higher risk of developing SSI compared to non-frail patients (RR = 1.64, 95 % CI: 1.39-1.93, p < 0.001, I2 = 66 %). Subgroup analyses indicated that the type of arthroplasty (hip vs. knee) and the method of frailty assessment did not significantly alter the association. Further subgroup analysis suggested that frailty was significantly associated with a higher incidence of deep SSI including joint infection (RR = 1.77, 95 % CI: 1.27-1.48, p < 0.001), but not the incidence of superficial SSI (RR = 1.57, 95 % CI: 0.45-5.42, p = 0.48). The association between frailty and SSI remains in subgroup of multivariate studies only (RR = 1.56, 95 % CI: 1.34 to 1.80, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Frailty is a potential predictor of SSI following TKA/THA.

Review of frailty in geriatric surgical oncology

Frailty is a common phenomenon in older adult population and associated with an elevated risk of adverse health outcomes. Recent studies have demonstrated that patients with frailty undergoing surgery had a significantly higher morbidity and mortality compared to those without frailty. This is particularly important in patients with cancer because the prevalence of frailty is persistently high across a spectrum of primary cancers. Identifying frailty in oncological patients undergoing surgery may provide an important preoperative intervention opportunity to mitigate operative risks. In this review, we provide an overview of frailty and its association with other geriatric syndromes. We will also review the impact of frailty on postoperative outcomes focusing on the field of surgical oncology. We then describe currently available tools to objectively measure frailty to provide clinicians with various practical tools that may be adopted in their clinical practice. Finally, we will describe potential interventional programs, including the recently introduced Geriatric Surgery Verification program by the American College of Surgeons, that may be institutionally adopted to mitigate postoperative complications and improve meeting patient-centered goals in the frail patient population.

Frailty and Visual Impairment in Elderly Individuals: Improving Outcomes and Modulating Cognitive Decline Through Collaborative Care Between Geriatricians and Ophthalmologists

Introduction: As life expectancy increases, the prevalence of frailty and eye diseases (cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and diabetic retinopathy) in the elderly global population is rising. Eye diseases and visual impairment not only contribute to a high incidence of falls, fractures, depression, and social isolation but they also herald cognitive decline and frailty (vision-cognitive impairment). Methods: This narrative review explores the relationship between eye diseases, visual impairment, and frailty, their association with cognitive decline, the current approaches in identifying and managing these conditions and the potential role of interdisciplinary care models. Relevant articles were identified by searching the major databases. Result: Eye diseases are common in elderly individuals and can lead to visual impairment and subsequently contribute to falls, fractures, depression, and social isolation. Visual impairment is strongly linked to cognitive decline, which is a key component of frailty. Reduced sensory input from vision loss leads to decreased cognitive stimulation, reduced engagement in activities such as reading, problem-solving, executive function, attention, and social interactions, which are crucial for maintaining cognitive health. This can lead to a form of "sensory deprivation", which accelerates neurodegenerative processes. As cognitive decline progresses, it creates a feedback loop where individuals may struggle to manage their health, adhere to treatment regimens, or seek timely medical care, exacerbating both cognitive impairment and frailty. Additionally, subjective cognitive decline (SCD) is common in older adults with vision loss and may precede clinical dementia. This sense of declining cognitive ability can worsen anxiety and depression, further contributing to frailty. Early intervention has the potential to mitigate the cognitive effects of vision loss (vision-cognitive impairment). Conclusions: Ophthalmologists should play an important role in detecting frailty associated with vision loss. Incorporating frailty assessments into ophthalmic practice can facilitate referrals to geriatric care and early interventions, improving patient outcomes. Geriatricians should be vigilant in identifying visual impairment and referring patients for appropriate ophthalmic investigation and management. Regular vision assessments should be part of comprehensive geriatric evaluations. Future research will assess the beneficial role of community geriatricians in detecting frailty and vision-cognitive impairment. An interdisciplinary and collaborative approach between ophthalmologists and geriatricians can lead to earlier detection, comprehensive management, and improved outcomes in frailty, eye diseases, and cognitive function.

Preclinical Studies on the Effects of Frailty in the Aging Heart

Age is a major risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases in men and in women. However, not all people age at the same rate and those who are aging rapidly are considered frail, compared with their fit counterparts. Frailty is an important clinical challenge because those who are frail are more likely to develop and die from illnesses, including cardiovascular diseases, than fit people of the same age. This increase in susceptibility to cardiovascular diseases in older individuals might occur as the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the aging process facilitate structural and functional damage in the heart. Consistent with this, recent studies in murine frailty models have provided strong evidence that maladaptive cardiac remodelling in older mice is the most pronounced in mice with a high level of frailty. For example, there is evidence that ventricular hypertrophy and contractile dysfunction increase as frailty increases in aging mice. Additionally, fibrosis and slowing of conduction in the sinoatrial node and atria are proportional to the level of frailty. These modifications could predispose frail older adults to diseases like heart failure and atrial fibrillation. This preclinical work also raises the possibility that emerging interventions designed to "treat frailty" might also treat or prevent cardiovascular diseases. These findings might help to explain why frail older people are most likely to develop these disorders as they age.

Sex-specific effects of frailty on cardiac structure and function: insights from preclinical models

Advanced age is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases in both sexes. This is thought to be due, in part, to age-dependent cellular, structural, and functional changes in the heart, a process known as cardiac aging. An emerging view is that cardiac aging leads to the accumulation of cellular and subcellular deficits that increase susceptibility to cardiovascular diseases. Still, people age at different rates, with those aging rapidly considered frail. Evidence suggests that frailty, rather than simply age, is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and predicts adverse outcomes in those affected. Recent studies in mouse models of frailty show that many adverse changes associated with cardiac aging are more prominent in mice with a high degree of frailty. This suggests that frailty sets the stage for late life cardiovascular diseases to flourish and raises the possibility that treating frailty may treat cardiovascular diseases. These studies show that ventricular dysfunction increases with frailty in males only, whereas atrial dysfunction increases with frailty in both sexes. These results may shed light on the reasons that men and women can be susceptible to different cardiovascular diseases as they age, and why frail individuals are especially vulnerable to these disorders.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy for melanoma in the older population: A prospective analysis of outcomes

BACKGROUND

The use of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in the older population, defined as those over 70 years old, has been debated since the adoption of SLNB into routine practice. Interestingly, there remains a paucity of evidence, especially regarding the rates of SLNB positivity, complications, and subsequent adjuvant therapy in those with node positivity.

METHOD

Data on patient's comorbidities, positivity rates, complication rates, and subsequent adjuvant treatments were collected prospectively from 998 patients (644 patients < 70 and 354 patients ≥ 70 years old) between 2016 and 2022.

RESULTS

Patients aged ≥ 70 were found to have a higher prevalence of comorbidities, including hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidaemia. The mean Breslow thickness was 2.2 and 2.5 in the under and over 70 groups respectively (p = 0.03). The mean mitotic rate was found to be 3.3 in the under 70 s and 4.1 in the over 70 s (p = 0.02). Despite these results, no significant differences were observed in the positivity rates of sentinel lymph node biopsies or in the treatment options selected for positive results. The under 70 s were more likely to experience loss of sensation (p < 0.01), but no difference was found in the total number of complications between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Although patients aged 70 and above had a greater incidence of comorbidities, the study revealed that they had lower complications rates and there was no significant variation in the SLNB positivity rate or chosen treatment options between the two age groups. This study supports the move to physiological rather than chronological age assessments in SLNB of the elderly.

The intersection of frailty and metabolism

On average, aging is associated with unfavorable changes in cellular metabolism, which are the processes involved in the storage and expenditure of energy. However, metabolic dysregulation may not occur to the same extent in all older individuals as people age at different rates. Those who are aging rapidly are at increased risk of adverse health outcomes and are said to be "frail." Here, we explore the links between frailty and metabolism, including metabolic contributors and consequences of frailty. We examine how metabolic diseases may modify the degree of frailty in old age and suggest that frailty may predispose toward metabolic disease. Metabolic interventions that can mitigate the degree of frailty in people are reviewed. New treatment strategies developed in animal models that are poised for translation to humans are also considered. We suggest that maintaining a youthful metabolism into older age may be protective against frailty.

Managing polypharmacy through medication review tools - pros and cons

Inappropriate polypharmacy is a common occurrence in elderly patients, resulting in increased adverse drug reactions, nonadherence, and increased healthcare costs. Medication review and deprescribing are the primary strategies described in the literature for dealing with problematic polypharmacy. To effectively carry out the medication review, various tools have been developed. These tools can support medication review in a variety of ways. Some tools include a list of medications requiring detailed attention, while others guide medical professionals with principles and algorithms for reviewing and prescribing medicines. A third category of tools focuses on tracking and identifying symptoms that may be due to drug-related problems.

Use of the G8 Geriatric Screening Tool in Surgical Head and Neck Cancer Patients Requiring Rehabilitation: A Multisite Investigation

OBJECTIVES

The G8 is a well-validated screening test for older cancer patients. The current study was undertaken to determine whether the G8 is predictive of short-term post-operative outcomes after head and neck cancer (HNC) surgery.

METHODS

Consecutive patients aged 65 years or more and referred for a preoperative assessment by a speech-language pathologist were consecutively screened by clinicians at 2 academic medical centers using the G8. The G8 was used to screen for vulnerability prior to surgery. Patients were deemed vulnerable if they had a total G8 score ≤14 according to published guidelines. Data were also collected on demographic characteristics, tumor staging, post-operative course, and tracheostomy and feeding tube (FT) status.

RESULTS

Ninety patients were consecutively screened during the study period. Using the G8, 64% of the patients were deemed vulnerable. Vulnerable patients differed significantly from non-vulnerable patients with regard to age, health, tumor stage, and baseline dysphagia, and underwent more extensive surgery. Postoperatively, vulnerable patients had a significantly longer hospital length of stay (LOS; 10.17 vs 5.50 days, respectively, P < .001), were less likely to discharge home (76% vs 94%, P = .044), and were more likely to be FT dependent for over a month (54% vs 21%, P = .006) compared to non-vulnerable patients. In regression models, controlling for T-stage and surgical variables, the G8 independently predicted 2 post-operative outcomes of interest, namely LOS and FT dependency.

CONCLUSIONS

The G8 may be a useful screening tool for identifying older adults at risk of a protracted postoperative medical course after HNC surgery. Future research should aim to identify the optimal screening protocol and how this information can be incorporated into clinical pathways to enhance the post-operative outcomes of older HNC patients.

Clinical utility of the modified frailty index in predicting adverse outcomes in patients undergoing lower extremity free flap reconstruction

BACKGROUND

Identifying at-risk patients for complications remains challenging in patients with chronic lower extremity (LE) wounds receiving free tissue transfer (FTT) for limb salvage. The modified-5 frailty index (mFI-5) has been utilized to predict postoperative complications, yet it has not been studied in this population. The aim of this study was to determine the utility of the mFI-5 in predicting adverse postoperative outcomes.

METHODS

Patients ≥60 years, who underwent LE FTT reconstruction at a single institution from 2011 to 2022, were retrospectively reviewed. Patient characteristics, mFI-5, and postoperative outcomes were collected. Cohorts were divided by an mFI-5 score of <2 or ≥2.

RESULTS

A total of 115 patients were identified, of which 71.3% (n = 82) were male, 64.3% (n = 74) had a mFI-5 score of ≥2, and 35.7% (n = 41) had a score <2. The average age and body mass index were 67.8 years and 28.7 kg/m2 , respectively. The higher mFI-5 cohort had lower baseline albumin levels (3.0 vs. 4.0 g/dL, p = .015) and higher hemoglobin A1c levels (7.4 vs. 5.8%, p < .001). The postoperative length of stay was longer in the higher mFI-5 cohort (18 vs. 13.4 days, p = .003). The overall flap success was 96.5% (n = 111), with no difference between cohorts (p = .129). Postoperative complications were comparable between cohorts (p = .294). At a mean follow-up of 19.8 months, eight patients (7.0%) underwent amputation, and 91.3% (n = 105) were ambulatory.

CONCLUSION

High microsurgical success rates can be achieved in comorbid patients with high frailty indexes who undergo FTT for limb salvage. A multidisciplinary team approach may effectively mitigate negative outcomes in elderly, frail patients.

Association of Vulnerability Screening on Hospital Admission with Discharge to Rehabilitation-Oriented Care after Acute Hospital Stay

BACKGROUND

We assessed the vulnerability of patients aged ≥70 years during hospital admission based on the Short Dutch Safety Management Screening (DSMS). Screening of four geriatric domains aims to prevent adverse outcomes and may support targeted discharge planning for post-acute care. We explored whether the DSMS criteria for acutely admitted patients were associated with rehabilitation-oriented care needs.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included community-dwelling patients aged ≥70 years acutely admitted to a tertiary hospital. We recorded patient demographics, morbidity, functional status, malnutrition, fall risk, and delirium and used descriptive analysis to calculate the risks by comparing the discharge destination groups.

RESULTS

Among 491 hospital discharges, 349 patients (71.1%) returned home, 60 (12.2%) were referred for geriatric rehabilitation, and 82 (16.7%) to other inpatient post-acute care. Non-home referrals increased with age from 21% (70-80 years) to 61% (>90 years). A surgical diagnosis (odds ratio [OR]=4.92; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.03-11.95), functional decline represented by Katz-activities of daily living positive screening (OR=3.79; 95% CI, 1.76-8.14), and positive fall risk (OR=2.87; 95% CI, 1.31-6.30) were associated with non-home discharge. The Charlson Comorbidity Index did not differ significantly between the groups.

CONCLUSION

Admission diagnosis and vulnerability screening outcomes were associated with discharge to rehabilitation-oriented care in patients >70 years of age. The usual care data from DSMS vulnerability screening can raise awareness of discharge complexity and provide opportunities to support timely and personalized transitional care.

Assessing frailty in elderly patients with hip fractures: A retrospective review comparing geriatrician and orthopedic trainee assessments

To assess the correlation of orthopedic surgery residents compared with expert geriatricians in the assessment of frailty stage using the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) in patients with hip fractures. A retrospective chart review was performed from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2019. Patients admitted with a diagnosis of hip fracture were identified. Those patients with a CFS score completed by orthopedic residents with subsequent CFS score completed by a geriatrician during their admission were extracted. Six hundred and forty-eight patients over age 60 (mean 80.5 years, 73.5% female) were admitted during the study period. Orthopaedic residents completed 286 assessments in 44% of admissions. Geriatric medicine consultation was available for 215 patients such that 93 patients were assessed by both teams. Paired CFS data were extracted from the charts and tested for agreement between the 2 groups of raters. CFS assessments by orthopedic residents and geriatrician experts were significantly different at P < .05; orthopedic residents typically assessed patients to be one CFS grade less frail than geriatricians. Despite this, the CFS assessments showed good agreement between residents and geriatricians. Orthopaedic surgery residents are reliable assessors of frailty but tend to underestimate frailty level compared with specialist geriatricians. Given the evidence to support models such as orthogeriatrics to improve outcomes for frail patients, our findings suggest that orthopedic residents may be well positioned to identify patients who could benefit from such early interventions. Our findings also support recent evidence that frailty assessments by orthopedic surgeons may have predictive validity. Low rates of initial frailty assessment by orthopedic residents suggests that further work is required to integrate more global comprehensive care.

Benefits of Prehabilitation before Complex Aortic Surgery

The purpose of this narrative review was to detail and discuss the underlying principles and benefits of preoperative interventions addressing risk factors for perioperative adverse events in open aortic surgery (OAS). The term "complex aortic disease" encompasses juxta/pararenal aortic and thoraco-abdominal aneurysms, chronic aortic dissection and occlusive aorto-iliac pathology. Although endovascular surgery has been increasingly favored, OAS remains a durable option, but by necessity involves extensive surgical approaches and aortic cross-clamping and requires a trained multidisciplinary team. The physiological stress of OAS in a fragile and comorbid patient group mandates thoughtful preoperative risk assessment and the implementation of measures dedicated to improving outcomes. Cardiac and pulmonary complications are one of the most frequent adverse events following major OAS and their incidences are correlated to the patient's functional status and previous comorbidities. Prehabilitation should be considered in patients with risk factors for pulmonary complications including advanced age, previous chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and congestive heart failure with the aid of pulmonary function tests. It should also be combined with other measures to improve postoperative course and be included in the more general concept of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS). Although the current level of evidence regarding the effectiveness of ERAS in the setting of OAS remains low, an increasing body of literature has promoted its implementation in other specialties. Consequently, vascular teams should commit to improving the current evidence through studies to make ERAS the standard of care for OAS.

Comparison of two frailty screening tools in older patients with colorectal cancer

INTRODUCTION

Geriatric assessment (GA) is widely used to detect vulnerability in older patients. As this process is time-consuming, prescreening tools have been developed to identify patients at risk for frailty. We aimed to assess whether the Geriatric 8 (G8) or the Korean Cancer Study Group Geriatric Score (KG-7) shows better performance in identifying patients who are in need of full GA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A consecutive series of patients aged ≥ 60 years with colorectal cancer were included. The sensitivity, specificity, predictive value, and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated for the G8 and the KG-7 using the results of GA as the reference standard. ROC(Receiver Operating Characteristic) was used to evaluate the accuracy of the G8 and the KG-7.

RESULTS

One hundred four patients were enrolled. A total of 40.4% of patients were frail according to GA, and 42.3% and 50.0% of patients were frail based on the G8 and the KG-7, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the G8 were 90.5% (95% CI: 77.4-97.3%) and 90.3% (95% CI: 80.1-96.4%), respectively. For the KG-7, the sensitivity and specificity were 83.3% (95% CI: 68.6-93.0%) and 72.6% (95% CI: 59.8-83.1%), respectively. Compared to the KG-7, the G8 had a higher predictive accuracy (AUC: (95% CI): 0.90 (0.83-0.95) vs. 0.78 (0.69-0.85); p < 0.01). By applying the G8 and the KG-7, 60 and 52 patients would not need a GA assessment, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Both the G8 and the KG-7 showed a great ability to detect frailty in older patients with colorectal cancer. In this population, compared to the KG-7, the G8 had a better performance in identifying those in need of a full Geriatric Assessment.

Geriatric assessment and treatment decision-making in surgical oncology

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Present an approach for surgical decision-making in cancer that incorporates geriatric assessment by building upon the common categories of tumor, technical, and patient factors to enable dual assessment of disease and geriatric factors.

RECENT FINDINGS

Conventional preoperative assessment is insufficient for older adults missing important modifiable deficits, and inaccurately estimating treatment intolerance, complications, functional impairment and disability, and death. Including geriatric-focused assessment into routine perioperative care facilitates improved communications between clinicians and patients and among interdisciplinary teams. In addition, it facilitates the detection of geriatric-specific deficits that are amenable to treatment. We propose a framework for embedding geriatric assessment into surgical oncology practice to allow more accurate risk stratification, identify and manage geriatric deficits, support decision-making, and plan proactively for both cancer-directed and non-cancer-directed therapies. This patient-centered approach can reduce adverse outcomes such as functional decline, delirium, prolonged hospitalization, discharge to long-term care, immediate postoperative complications, and death.

SUMMARY

Geriatric assessment and management has substantial benefits over conventional preoperative assessment alone. This article highlights these advantages and outlines a feasible strategy to incorporate both disease-based and geriatric-specific assessment and treatment when caring for older surgical patients with cancer.

Extremely Low Activity of Serum Alanine Aminotransferase Is Associated with Long-Term Overall-Cause Mortality in the Elderly Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention after Acute Coronary Syndrome

Background and Objectives: Recent studies revealed that the extremely low activity of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is associated with frailty and contributes to increased mortality after acute physical stress. We aimed to investigate whether the extremely low activity of serum ALT (<10 U/L) at the time of diagnosis can be used to predict overall-cause mortality in elderly patients that underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) diagnosis. Materials and Methods: A retrospective medical record review was performed on 1597 patients diagnosed with ACS who underwent PCI at a single university hospital from February 2014 to March 2020. The associations between the extremely low activity of serum ALT and mortality were assessed using a stepwise Cox regression (forward: conditional). Results: A total of 210 elderly patients were analyzed in this study. The number of deaths was 64 (30.5%), the mean survival time was 25.0 ± 18.9 months, and the mean age was 76.9 ± 7.6 years. The mean door-to-PCI time was 74.0 ± 20.9 min. The results of stepwise Cox regression analysis showed that the extremely low activity of serum ALT (adjusted hazard ratio: 5.157, 95% confidence interval: 3.001-8.862, p < 0.001) was the independent risk factor for long-term overall-cause mortality in the elderly who underwent PCI after ACS diagnosis. Conclusions: The extremely low activity of serum ALT at ACS diagnosis is a significant risk factor for increased long-term overall-cause mortality in the elderly who underwent PCI after ACS diagnosis. It is noteworthy that a simple laboratory test at the time of diagnosis was found to be a significant risk factor for mortality.

Frailty predicts poor longer-term outcomes in patients following lower limb open surgical revascularization

BACKGROUND

Frailty in vascular surgery patients is increasingly recognized as a marker of poor outcome. This provides particular challenges for patients with lower limb peripheral arterial disease who require surgical revascularization. This study aimed to assess the impact of frailty on short- and long-term outcome in this specific patient group using a specialty specific frailty score.

METHODS

Patients undergoing open surgical revascularization for chronic limb ischemia (January 2015-December 2016) were assessed. Demographics, mode of admission, diagnosis, and site of surgery were recorded alongside a variety of frailty-specific characteristics. We calculated the previously validated Addenbrookes Vascular Frailty Score (AVFS) and Long AVFS (LAVFS). Primary outcome was 3-year mortality.

RESULTS

Two hundred and sixty-one patients (75% men, median age 69 years) were studied. The median length of stay was 6 days with a 3-year mortality of 23%. The predictive power of vascular frailty scores showed that for 3-year mortality, area under the receiver operator curve values (AUROC) were specific for both the AVFS score (AUROC: 0.724, 95% CI: 0.654-0.794) and LAVFS Score (AUROC: 0.741, 95%CI: 0.670-0.813). Furthermore, the cumulative AVFS and LAVFS scores both predicted mortality over the follow-up period (P=0.0001) with increased mortality among patients with higher scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Incremental worsening of frailty, determined using a specialty specific frailty score, predicts mortality risk in patients undergoing lower limb surgical revascularization.

Frailty in older people living with HIV: current status and clinical management

This paper will update care providers on the clinical and scientific aspects of frailty which affects an increasing proportion of older people living with HIV (PLWH). The successful use of combination antiretroviral therapy has improved long-term survival in PLWH. This has increased the proportion of PLWH older than 50 to more than 50% of the HIV population. Concurrently, there has been an increase in the premature development of age-related comorbidities as well as geriatric syndromes, especially frailty, which affects an important minority of older PLWH. As the number of frail older PLWH increases, this will have an important impact on their health care delivery. Frailty negatively affects a PLWH's clinical status, and increases their risk of adverse outcomes, impacting quality of life and health-span. The biologic constructs underlying the development of frailty integrate interrelated pathways which are affected by the process of aging and those factors which accelerate aging. The negative impact of sarcopenia in maintaining musculoskeletal integrity and thereby functional status may represent a bidirectional interaction with frailty in PLWH. Furthermore, there is a growing body of literature that frailty states may be transitional. The recognition and management of related risk factors will help to mitigate the development of frailty. The application of interdisciplinary geriatric management principles to the care of older PLWH allows reliable screening and care practices for frailty. Insight into frailty, increasingly recognized as an important marker of biologic age, will help to understand the diversity of clinical status occurring in PLWH, which therefore represents a fundamentally new and important aspect to be evaluated in their health care.

Frailty and cytokines in preclinical models: Comparisons with humans

Chronic low-grade elevations of blood-borne cytokines/chemokines in older age tend to associate with frailty in humans. This persistent inflammation is often called "inflammageing" and likely contributes to frailty progression. Preclinical models such as ageing and/or genetically modified mice offer a unique opportunity to mechanistically study how these inflammatory mediators affect frailty. In this review, we summarize and contrast evidence relating cytokines/chemokines to frailty in humans and in mouse models of frailty. In humans and mice, higher levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 regularly increased in proportion to the degree of frailty. Evidence linking other cytokines/chemokines to frailty in humans and mice is less certain. The chemokines CXCL-10 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 related to frailty across both species, but evidence is limited and inconsistent. Several other cytokines/chemokines, including tumour necrosis factor-α relate to frailty in humans or in mice, but evidence to date is species- and tissue-dependent. It is important for future studies to validate common mechanistic inflammatory biomarkers of frailty between humans and mice. Achieving this goal will accelerate the search for drugs to treat frailty.

Impact of Sarcopenia and Bone Mineral Density on Implant Failure after Dorsal Instrumentation in Patients with Osteoporotic Vertebral Fractures

Background and Objectives: Age-related loss of bone and muscle mass are signs of frailty and are associated with an increased risk of falls and consecutive vertebral fractures. Management often necessitates fusion surgery. We determined the impacts of sarcopenia and bone density on implant failures (IFs) and complications in patients with spondylodesis due to osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVFs). Materials and Methods: Patients diagnosed with an OVF according to the osteoporotic fracture classification (OF) undergoing spinal instrumentation surgery between 2011 and 2020 were included in our study. The skeletal muscle area (SMA) was measured at the third lumbar vertebra (L3) level using axial CT images. SMA z-scores were calculated for the optimal height and body mass index (BMI) adjustment (zSMA_HT). The loss of muscle function was assessed via measurement of myosteatosis (skeletal muscle radiodensity, SMD) using axial CT scans. The bone mineral density (BMD) was determined at L3 in Hounsfield units (HU). Results: A total of 68 patients with OVFs underwent instrumentation in 244 segments (mean age 73.7 ± 7.9 years, 60.3% female). The median time of follow-up was 14.1 ± 15.5 months. Sarcopenia was detected in 28 patients (47.1%), myosteatosis in 45 patients (66.2%), and osteoporosis in 49 patients (72%). The presence of sarcopenia was independent of chronological age (p = 0.77) but correlated with BMI (p = 0.005). The zSMA_HT was significantly lower in patients suffering from an IF (p = 0.0092). Sarcopenia (OR 4.511, 95% CI 1.459–13.04, p = 0.0092) and osteoporosis (OR 9.50, 95% CI 1.497 to 104.7, p = 0.014) increased the likelihood of an IF. Using multivariate analysis revealed that the zSMA_HT (p = 0.0057) and BMD (p = 0.0041) were significantly related to IF occurrence. Conclusion: Herein, we established sarcopenic obesity as the main determinant for the occurrence of an IF after instrumentation for OVF. To a lesser degree, osteoporosis was associated with impaired implant longevity. Therefore, measuring the SMA and BMD using an axial CT of the lumbar spine might help to prevent an IF in spinal fusion surgery via early detection and treatment of sarcopenia and osteoporosis.

Gastric cancer in older adult patients: a retrospective study and literature review

Background

With increasing life expectancy, the incidence of gastric cancer (GC) in older adults is increasing. This study analyzed differences in GC characteristics according to age and sex among patients who underwent surgical treatment for GC.

Methods

A total of 2,983 patients diagnosed with gastric adenocarcinoma who underwent surgical treatment at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital between 2003 and 2017 were classified into three groups: I (<65 years, n=1,680), II (60–74 years, n=919), and III (≥75 years, n=384). We compared the baseline clinical characteristics, pathological characteristics of the tumor, overall and GC-specific survival rates, and associated risk factors between the groups.

Results

Cancer of the distal third of the stomach (p<0.001), with intestinal-type histology (p<0.001), and with p53 overexpression (p=0.004) were more common in groups II and III than in group I, and the proportion of intestinal-type GC increased with age. The cancer type, lymph node metastasis, and cancer stage did not differ significantly. In terms of overall survival, survival decreased with increasing age (p<0.001), but this difference decreased significantly for GC-specific survival. Cox multivariate analyses revealed age, histologic type (diffuse or mixed type), and advanced cancer stage (p=0.002, 0.001, and <0.001, respectively) as risk factors for GC-related mortality.

Conclusion

Age itself was found to be one of the most important prognostic factors for overall and disease-specific survival in elderly GC patients, along with cancer stage.

An Analysis of the Modified Five-Item Frailty Index for Predicting Complications following Free Flap Breast Reconstruction

BACKGROUND

The modified five-item frailty index is a validated and effective tool for assessing risk in surgical candidates. The authors sought to compare the predictive ability of the modified five-item frailty index to established risk factors for complications in free flap breast reconstruction.

METHODS

The 2012 to 2018 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried for free flap breast reconstructive procedures. Univariate and multivariate regression analysis models were used to assess how modified five-item frailty index and factors commonly used to risk stratify (age, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, and history of smoking) were associated with complications.

RESULTS

Of the total 10,550 cases, 24.1 percent experienced complications. A high modified five-item frailty index score is associated with a higher overall rate of postoperative complications (p < 0.001). This significant trend was demonstrated in both surgical (p < 0.001) and medical (p < 0.001) complications. When controlling for other risk factors commonly used for risk stratification such as age, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, and history of smoking, the modified five-item frailty index was significantly associated with medical (OR, 1.75; 95 percent CI, 1.37 to 2.22; p = 0.001) and any complications (OR, 1.58; 95 percent CI, 1.29 to 1.93; p < 0.001) and had the largest effect size. Assessing for specific complications, the modified five-item frailty index is the strongest independent predictor of reoperation (OR, 1.41; 95 percent CI, 1.08 to 1.81; p = 0.009).

CONCLUSION

The modified five-item frailty index is a useful predictor of postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing free flap breast reconstruction when compared to other historically considered risk factors for surgical complications.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Risk, III.

Evaluation of Frailty Assessment Compliance in Acute Care Surgery: Changing Trends, Lessons Learned

BACKGROUND

Routine frailty assessment has emerged recently in the surgical literature and is an important prognostication and risk stratification tool. The aim of our study was to review our 7-y experience with two frailty assessment tools and changing trends in their use.

METHODS

We performed a 7-y (2011-2017) analysis of our prospectively maintained frailty database. Frail patients were identified using the emergency general surgery and trauma specific frailty indices. Outcome measures were rates of compliance with frailty assessment, overall complications, discharge to skilled nursing facility (SNF)/rehab, and mortality over the study period. Multivariate logistic regression and Cochran-Armitage trend analyses were performed.

RESULTS

We evaluated a total of 1045 geriatric patients (Trauma: 587, EGS: 458). Mean age was 74.5 ± 7.9 y, 74% were males, and 81% were white. Overall, 34% of the patients were frail. Compared to non-frail patients, frail patients had higher adjusted rates of complications (OR 2.4 [1.9-2.9]), mortality (OR 1.8 [1.4-2.3]), and rehab/SNF disposition (OR 3.7 [3.1-4.3]). The compliance rate of measuring frailty increased from 12% in 2011 to 78% in 2017, P < 0.001 (Figure). The complication rate decreased (33% versus 21%, P < 0.001), while the rate of discharge disposition to SNF/Rehab increased (41% versus 58%, P < 0.001). There was no difference in mortality (11% versus 9.8%, P = 0.48) over the study period.

CONCLUSIONS

Adherence to frailty measurement increased over the study period. This was accompanied by a significant decline in overall in-hospital complications. Frailty indices can be utilized to identify high-risk patients and develop post-operative strategies to improve outcomes in acute care surgery.

Delirium in Frail Older Adults

Delirium and frailty are prevalent geriatric syndromes and important public health issues among older adults. The prevalence of delirium among hospitalized older adults ranges from 15% to 75%, while that of frailty ranges from 12% to 24%. The exact pathophysiology of these two conditions has not been clearly identified, although several hypotheses have been proposed. However, these conditions are considered to be multifactorial in etiology and are associated with inflammation related to aging, alterations in vascular systems, genetics, and nutritional deficiency. Furthermore, clinically, they are significantly associated with frailty, which increases the risk of delirium by almost two- to three-fold among hospitalized older adults. With their multifactorial etiology and unknown pathophysiology, current evidence supports more practical multicomponent patient-centered approaches to prevent and manage delirium with frailty among hospitalized older adults. These comprehensive and organized bundled approaches can identify high-risk patients with frailty and more effectively manage their delirium.

The degree of frailty as a translational measure of health in aging

Frailty is a multiply determined, age-related state of increased risk for adverse health outcomes. We review how the degree of frailty conditions the development of late-life diseases and modifies their expression. The risks for frailty range from subcellular damage to social determinants. These risks are often synergistic-circumstances that favor damage also make repair less likely. We explore how age-related damage and decline in repair result in cellular and molecular deficits that scale up to tissue, organ and system levels, where they are jointly expressed as frailty. The degree of frailty can help to explain the distinction between carrying damage and expressing its usual clinical manifestations. Studying people-and animals-who live with frailty, including them in clinical trials and measuring the impact of the degree of frailty are ways to better understand the diseases of old age and to establish best practices for the care of older adults.

Prevalence and risk factors of preoperative malnutrition risk in older patients and its impact on surgical outcomes: a retrospective observational study

PURPOSE

Elderly patients are vulnerable to malnutrition and we have started systematic screening for preoperative malnutrition risk in our institution. This study aims to determine the prevalence and risk factors of preoperative malnutrition risk among elderly surgical patients, and its impact on surgical outcomes.

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study of patients ≥ 65 yr old undergoing elective surgery, we recorded demographics, medications, preoperative effort tolerance, Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) score, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status (ASA), Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), and Edmonton Frailty Score (EFS). Postoperative complications based on the Clavien-Dindo (CD) classification and hospital length of stay (LOS) were also recorded.

RESULTS

Of the 1,033 patients studied, 123 (11.9%) were at risk of malnutrition (MUST ≥ 1), with 48 (4.6%) at high risk (MUST ≥ 2). Unadjusted predictors for high malnutrition risk included ASA ≥ III, higher EFS, higher CCI, polypharmacy (≥ ten medications), poor effort tolerance (metabolic equivalent of tasks < 3), malignancy, general surgery patients, and lower hemoglobin. These patients had higher odds of CD grade ≥ 1 complications compared with those without risk (adjusted odds ratio, 2.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11 to 4.78; P = 0.025) and 22% longer hospital LOS (adjusted incidence rate ratio,1.22; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.49; P = 0.049) after multivariate adjustment for sex, severity of surgery, comorbidities, frailty, malignancy, and anemia.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative malnutrition risk is prevalent among the elderly. Patients at high malnutrition risk have increased risk of postoperative complications and longer hospital LOS. Patients with high comorbidity burden and frailty should be screened for malnutrition so that nutritional optimization can be sought.

Chronic Lower Extremity Ischemia and Its Association with the Frailty Syndrome in Patients with Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is an important risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases. Peripheral arterial disease affecting lower limb arteries is one of the clinical manifestations of atherosclerosis. The frailty syndrome (Frailty) is a problem associated with diminution of physiological reserves. The ankle-brachial index is a commonly used tool for diagnosing peripheral arterial disease (PAD). The usefulness of the ankle-brachial index (ABI) is limited in people with diabetes because of calcification of the middle layer of arteries. In this population, toe-brachial index should be measured. Frailty may be associated with worse prognosis for patients undergoing revascularization. Amputation may be an important factor leading to the development of Frailty. The risk of amputation and the prognosis after revascularization may be modified by some medications and blood glucose levels. The purpose of this paper is to review the literature about the association between PAD, especially in patients living with diabetes and Frailty.