Scientists from the University of Pittsburgh have found that taking into account the “frailty” of an elderly patient can reduce the risk of death after surgery. The research was published in the journal JAMA Surgery.
While age can be an important indicator of the likelihood of complications after surgery, it does not give a complete picture of patients’ health status. The researchers hypothesized that a patient’s overall well-being, including their physical and cognitive abilities, might better reflect their body’s ability to recover from surgery.
The study included more than 50,000 patients who had to undergo major surgery. Before meeting with their surgeon, patients completed a short questionnaire to assess frailty. 1300 more patients lost weight. The surgeons had additional talk with them about the possible risks of the surgery, and they were also referred more frequently to centers for pre- and post-operative care.
These measures reduced patients’ risk of death by 18%. Survival was assessed one year after surgery.
More research is needed to determine which interventions have the greatest impact on patient outcomes, the scientists said.