Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 18, 2026
Author Spotlight: Assessing Surgical Frailty with Point-of-Care Ultrasound of Quadriceps Muscles
Published on: July 26, 2024
Frailty Exists in Younger Adults Admitted as Surgical Emergency Leading to Adverse Outcomes
R Smart1, B Carter, J McGovern
1Susan J Moug,Consultant Surgeon and Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer; Department of Surgery, Royal Alexandra Hospital; Paisley, United Kingdom, PA2 9PN, +441413146965. susanmoug@nhs.net.
Insights
Frailty affects 16% of younger adults undergoing emergency surgery, linked to comorbidities and deprivation. Early identification and treatment strategies are crucial for this vulnerable population.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Surgical Care
- Public Health
Background:
- Frailty is common in older adults (≥65 years) and linked to poor outcomes in emergency general surgery.
- The prevalence and impact of frailty in younger emergency surgical patients (<65 years) remain understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the existence and prevalence of frailty in younger adults (<65 years) undergoing emergency general surgery.
- To determine the influence of frailty on patient-related outcomes in this demographic.
Main Methods:
- A prospective observational cohort study involving emergency general surgical admissions.
- Patients aged ≥40 years were divided into younger (40-64.9) and older (≥65) adult groups.
- Data collected included demographics, deprivation (SIMD), blood markers, comorbidities, polypharmacy, cognition, and frailty assessment (CSHA) over 6 months, with 90-day follow-up for outcomes.
Main Results:
- Frailty was identified in 16% of younger adults (n=82) compared to 38% in older adults (p=0.001).
- In younger adults, frailty was associated with multi-morbidity, polypharmacy, cognitive impairment, and deprivation (SIMD).
- Frailty in older adults was solely associated with increasing age.
Conclusions:
- Frailty is present in 16% of younger adults admitted for emergency general surgery, indicating a previously unrecognized vulnerable group.
- The findings suggest frailty in younger adults may contribute to adverse short- and long-term outcomes.
- Developing strategies to identify and manage frailty in younger surgical patients is essential.
Background:
Frailty is prevalent in the older adult population (≥65 years of age) and results in adverse outcomes in the emergency general surgical population.
Objective:
To determine whether frailty exists in the younger adult emergency surgical population (<65 years) and what influence frailty may have on patient related outcomes.
Design:
Prospective observational cohort study.
Setting:
Emergency general surgical admissions.
Participants:
All patients ≥40 years divided into 2 groups: younger adults (40-64.9 years) and older adult comparative group (≥65).
Measurements:
Over a 6-month time frame the following data was collected: demographics; Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD); blood markers; multi-morbidities, polypharmacy and cognition. Frailty was assessed by completion of the Canadian Study of Health and Ageing (CSHA). Each patient was followed up for 90 days to allow determination of length of stay, re-admission and mortality.
Results:
82 young adults were included and the prevalence of frailty was 16% (versus older adults 38%; p=0.001) and associated with: multi-morbidity; poly-pharmacy; cognitive impairment; and deprivation. Frailty in older adults was only significantly associated with increasing age.
Conclusions:
This novel study has found that frailty exists in 16% of younger adults admitted to emergency general surgical units, potentially leading to adverse short and long-term outcomes. Strategies need to be developed that identify and treat frailty in this vulnerable younger adult population.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Flail Chest-II
Assessment:
1. Clinical Evaluation:
History:
01:28Esophageal Perforation-II: Clinical Manifestations and Management
Clinical Manifestations:
01:22Aneurysm IV: Nursing Management
01:24Flail Chest-I
Flail chest is a severe and potentially life-threatening condition characterized by the fracture of three or more adjacent ribs in multiple places. It is most commonly caused by direct impacts and trauma, such as motor vehicle accidents or injuries from a steering wheel impact. It can also occur due to falls in elderly individuals with osteoporosis, or assaults involving sharp objects.
Pathophysiology
The pathophysiology of flail chest is complex, involving fractures of...
01:23Acute Respiratory Failure-IV
01:30Introduction Cardiac Emergencies