Modified frailty index and hypoalbuminemia as predictors of adverse outcomes in older adults presenting to acute general surgical unit / Índice de fragilidad modificado e hipoalbuminemia como pronosticadores de resultados adversos en adultos mayores que se presentan a la unidad de cirugía general aguda

INTRODUCTION: Health professionals are progressively drawing on the concept of frailty as a determinant of adverse surgical outcomes in of older adults. We aimed to determine the prevalence of frailty and the correlation between frailty and mortality among older adults admitted to the acute surgical unit. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective cohort study was conducted in the acute general surgical unit over a two month period. We recruited 150 consecutive patients aged 65 years and above. The modified frailty index was employed to measure frailty and the albumin levels on admission were obtained from electronic medical records. The patients were followed up for a period of thirty days. RESULTS: We found that more than 40% of the older adults admitted to the acute general surgical unit were frail and frailty was associated with higher rate of mortality at 30 days. Hypoalbuminemia was associated with a longer length of stay, higher rate of complications, and an increased likelihood of discharge to a rehabilitation facility. There was also a significant univariate correlation between frailty and the presence of hypoalbuminemia on admission. CONCLUSION: Frailty and hypoalbuminemia are common in older general surgical patients and predict the likelihood of some of the adverse outcomes relevant to older adults and health economy such as mortality, increased length of stay, rate of complications, and likelihood of discharge to a rehabilitation facility. Further studies should investigate a possible causal association between frailty and low albumin levels in an acute surgical setting

INTRODUCCIÓN: Los profesionales de la salud se basan progresivamente en el concepto de fragilidad como determinante de los resultados quirúrgicos adversos de los adultos mayores. Se intentó determinar la prevalencia de la fragilidad y la correlación entre la fragilidad y la mortalidad entre los adultos mayores ingresados en la unidad de cirugía aguda. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Este estudio de cohorte prospectivo se llevó a cabo en la unidad de cirugía general aguda durante un período de 2 meses. Se reclutaron 150 pacientes consecutivos de 65 años y más. El índice de fragilidad modificada se empleó para medir la fragilidad y los niveles de albúmina en el momento del ingreso se obtuvieron a partir de historias clínicas electrónicas. Los pacientes fueron seguidos durante un período de 30 días. RESULTADOS: Se encontró que más del 40% de los adultos mayores ingresados en la unidad de cirugía general aguda eran frágiles, y la fragilidad se asoció con mayores tasas de mortalidad a los 30 días. La hipoalbuminemia se asoció con una mayor duración de la estancia, una tasa más alta de complicaciones y una mayor probabilidad de alta a un centro de rehabilitación. También hubo una correlación univariada significativa entre la fragilidad y la presencia de hipoalbuminemia en el ingreso. CONCLUSIÓN: La fragilidad y la hipoalbuminemia son frecuentes en los pacientes de cirugía general de edad avanzada, y predicen la probabilidad de algunos de los resultados adversos relevantes para los adultos mayores y la economía de la salud como la mortalidad, el aumento de la duración de la estancia, la tasa de complicaciones y la probabilidad de alta en un centro de rehabilitación. Los estudios adicionales deben investigar una posible asociación causal entre la fragilidad y los niveles bajos de albúmina en un contexto quirúrgico agudo

Modified frailty index and hypoalbuminemia as predictors of adverse outcomes in older adults presenting to acute general surgical unit.

INTRODUCTION: Health professionals are progressively drawing on the concept of frailty as a determinant of adverse surgical outcomes in of older adults. We aimed to determine the prevalence of frailty and the correlation between frailty and mortality among older adults admitted to the acute surgical unit. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective cohort study was conducted in the acute general surgical unit over a two month period. We recruited 150 consecutive patients aged 65yrs and above. The modified frailty index was employed to measure frailty and the albumin levels on admission were obtained from electronic medical records. The patients were followed up for a period of thirty days. RESULTS: We found that more than 40% of the older adults admitted to the acute general surgical unit were frail and frailty was associated with higher rate of mortality at 30 days. Hypoalbuminemia was associated with a longer length of stay, higher rate of complications, and an increased likelihood of discharge to a rehabilitation facility. There was also a significant univariate correlation between frailty and the presence of hypoalbuminemia on admission. CONCLUSION: Frailty and hypoalbuminemia are common in older general surgical patients and predict the likelihood of some of the adverse outcomes relevant to older adults and health economy such as mortality, increased length of stay, rate of complications, and likelihood of discharge to a rehabilitation facility. Further studies should investigate a possible causal association between frailty and low albumin levels in an acute surgical setting.