Functional outcome and frailty in colorectal surgery patients

Frailty is a recognized risk and predictor of poor health outcomes in older patients undergoing surgery. A significant proportion of elderly patients undergoing colorectal cancer-related surgery are nevertheless not routinely assessed for frailty in current clinical practice in Australia. We examined the preoperative use of the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) to predict post-operative functional outcomes in geriatric patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery.

This retrospective observational cohort study included elderly colorectal cancer patients (n = 227) who underwent elective major colorectal surgery from 2016 to 2020 at Nepean Hospital, Australia. CFS was calculated retrospectively from medical records and the relationship between CFS and functional outcome factors was analysed.

Frail patients (n = 111) had a significant postoperative functional decline as demonstrated by discharge to supported care (57% vs. 0.9%), Barthel Index change (P<0.05) and inability to self-manage stoma (P<0.05) compared to non-frail patients (n = 116). Multivariate analysis with adjustment for age, comorbidities as measured by Charlson Comorbidities Index (CCI), and cognitive impairment, demonstrated frailty was the most significant independent predictor of discharge to supported care (OR 109.3). Cognitive impairment and an increased CCI were also found to be important predictors.

Preoperative frailty is significantly associated with postoperative functional decline and postoperative adverse outcomes, highlighting the potential utility of CFS in preoperative frailty assessment.