A new study published in Spine examines how frailty impacts complications and mortality after adult spinal deformity.
The researchers gathered data from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program for adult spinal deformity surgeries. There were 1,001 patients identified for inclusion in the study. The patients had an average modified Frailty Index score of 0.09.
The researchers found:
1. The higher mFI scores were associated with higher mortality rates. These patients were also more likely to have higher complication and reoperation rates.
2. The researchers found 0.09 and 0.18 mFI were independent predictors of complications and mortality that required:
• Blood transfusion
• Pulmonary embolism/deep vein thrombosis
• Reoperation
3. The mFI was a superior predictor of postoperative complications and reoperation when compared with age, specifically patients older than 60 years.
4. Frailty was an independent predictor of the complications, mortality and reoperation for the adult spinal deformity patients, the researchers found.
5. The researchers concluded, "Preoperative assessment of the mFI in this patient population can be utilized to improve current risk models."