Conclusions
Frailty is a multidimensional syndrome that is prevalent among older surgical patients, is strongly associated with adverse outcomes, can be feasibly assessed and identified before surgery, and represents a potentially modifiable risk factor. Perioperative clinicians should consider routine frailty assessment using accurate and feasible instruments, while also considering the underlying contributors to frailty to identify specific targets for optimization. Future research will be needed to further refine interventions for preoperative optimization, while also addressing knowledge gaps related to intra- and postoperative care.
Glossary
CFS = Clinical Frailty Scale; CNST = Canadian Nutrition Screening Test; DASI = Duke Activity Status Index; EFS = Edmonton Frail Scale; FI = Frailty Index; FP = Fried Phenotype; IADL = instrumental activities of daily living; PHQ-2 = 2 question Personal Health Questionnaire; TUGT = Timed Up and Go Test
Funding
D.I.M. receives salary support from The Ottawa Hospital Anesthesia Alternate Funds Association, the Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society Career Scientist Award, and a Junior Research Chair in Perioperative Health Systems and Outcomes Research from the University of Ottawa.
Anesth Analg. 2020;130(6):1450-1460. © 2020 International Anesthesia Research Society