The modified Frailty Index does not correlate with survival in surgically-treated patients with metastatic spine disease.

With the increasing burden of metastatic spinal disease there is ever-more pressure on the health system to provide optimal management. Multiple treatment modalities, including surgical intervention, are available. Multiple prognostic scoring systems have been developed to aid both clinician and patient in making the best decision for each individual. The modified Frailty Index (mFI) has not been assessed for its correlation with survival in patients treated for metastatic spine disease. A retrospective review of a patients undergoing surgery for metastatic spine disease at a tertiary referral centre was performed and a comparison was made between the mFI and previously established disease-specific prognostic scores (revised Tokuhashi, modified Bauer and Tomita scores and the Oswestry Spine Risk Index). 41 patients were included over a 5-year period. 38 deceased by the end of the study period with a 30-day mortality of 14.6% and a 1-year mortality of 73.2%. The mFI poorly correlated with survival. Out of the four established scoring system, the OSRI had the best correlation. The mFI did not correlate with survival in this cohort of surgically treated patients with metastatic spinal disease and is best used as a selection tool for surgery. Dedicated prognostic tools can be selected appropriate to the institution experience and set-up.

C2 Fractures in the Elderly: Single-Center Evaluation of Risk Factors for Mortality.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study. Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify features associated with increased mortality risk in traumatic C2 fractures in the elderly, including measures of comorbidity and frailty. Overview of Literature: C2 fractures in the elderly are of increasing relevance in the setting of an aging global population and have a high mortality rate. Previous analyzes of risk factors for mortality have not included the measures of comorbidity and/or frailty, and no local data have been reported to date. Methods: This study comprises a retrospective review of 70 patients of age >65 years at Waikato Hospital, New Zealand with traumatic C2 fractures identified on computed tomography between 2010 and 2016. Demographic details, medical history, laboratory results on admission, mechanism of injury, and neurological status on presentation were recorded. Medical comorbidities were also detailed allowing calculation of the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and the modified Frailty Index (mFI). Results: The most common mechanism of injury was a fall from standing height (n=52, 74.3%). Mortality rates were 14.3% (n=10) at day 30, and 35.7% (n=25) at 1 year. Bivariate analysis showed that both CCI and mFI correlated with 1-year mortality rates. Reduced albumin and hemoglobin levels were also associated with 30-day and 1-year mortality rates. Forward stepwise logistic regression models determined CCI and low hemoglobin as predictors of mortality within 30 days, whereas CCI, low albumin, increased age, and female gender predicted mortality at 1 year. Conclusions: The CCI was a useful tool for predicting mortality at 1 year in the patient cohort. Other variables, including common laboratory markers, can also be used for risk stratification, to initiate timely multidisciplinary management, and prognostic counseling for patients and family members.