Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh report that considering a patient’s frailty before surgery can lower the risk of death after major operations. The findings appear in JAMA Surgery.
Although age is a common signal for possible postoperative problems, it does not fully capture a patient’s health. The team proposed that a person’s overall condition, including physical strength and cognitive function, may better reflect the body’s capacity to recover from surgery.
The study followed more than 50,000 individuals undergoing major procedures. Before meeting their surgeon, patients completed a brief frailty assessment. An additional 1300 patients showed weight loss. Surgeons also conducted more thorough conversations about potential risks and referred more patients to centers offering coordinated preoperative and postoperative care.
The overall approach was associated with an 18 percent reduction in mortality, with survival tracked one year after surgery.
Researchers note that further work is needed to identify which actions yield the greatest improvements in patient outcomes across diverse populations and settings.