Prevalence of frailty and its association with mortality in general surgery

Am J Surg. 2015 Feb;209(2):254-9. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2014.05.022. Epub 2014 Jul 27.

Abstract

Background: We assessed the prevalence of frailty in an older acute general surgical population and its correlation with length of hospital stay, readmission to hospital, and 30- and 90-day mortality.

Methods: In 3 acute surgical admission units, we assessed consecutive participants aged over 65 years with general surgical conditions. We measured the prevalence of frailty using a 7-point frailty score. We measured length of hospital stay, readmission to hospital, and mortality at both 30 and 90 days.

Results: We studied 325 participants with an average age of 77.3 years 8.2 (standard deviation), 185 (57%) women. There were 88 (28%) participants who were classified as being mildly, moderately, or severely frail. The frail group spent longer in hospital (7.6 days, 95% confidence interval [CI] 6.1 to 9.2 vs 11.1, 95% CI 7.2 to 15.0; P = .03). They also were more likely to die at both 30 and 90 days (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 4.0, 95% CI 1.1 to 15.2, P = .04; OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.3 to 7.4, P = .02). Readmission to hospital did not differ (OR 1.1, 95% CI .5 to 2.3).

Conclusions: Over 1 in 4 people were frail. These individuals spent longer in hospital and were more likely to die.

Keywords: Acute general surgery; Frailty; Length of hospital stay and mortality; Older people.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • England / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Frail Elderly*
  • Geriatric Assessment
  • Hospital Mortality
  • Humans
  • Length of Stay / statistics & numerical data
  • Male
  • Patient Readmission / statistics & numerical data
  • Prevalence
  • Prospective Studies
  • Scotland / epidemiology
  • Surgical Procedures, Operative / mortality*
  • Wales / epidemiology