Feasibility and Correlation of Functional Muscle Strength Tests and Objective Frailty Measures With Clinical Frailty Scale in Patients Undergoing Major Surgery
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Summary
The goal of this observational study is to learn if simple tests for frailty and muscle strength can help predict which older adults (age 65 and older) are at higher risk for problems after major abdominal surgery. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Do measures of frailty and muscle strength, taken before surgery, predict complications after surgery? * Can these tests be easily done during a routine pre-surgical visit? Participants will: * Complete brief tests measuring muscle strength, breathing strength, physical function, nutrition status, body composition, and memory during a regular pre-surgical clinic appointment. * Allow researchers to review their medical records 30 and 90 days after surgery to identify any complications or health problems.
Description
This observational study aims to assess whether brief, objective frailty and muscle-strength tests can be feasibly incorporated into routine preoperative evaluations and whether these assessments predict postoperative complications in older adults undergoing elective major abdominal surgery. The broader clinical objective is to enhance perioperative risk stratification using multidimensional frailty measurements. Study Procedures: Eligible participants aged 65 years or older scheduled for elective major abdominal surgeries (including colorectal, hepatobiliary, gynecologic, and urologic proce…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 65+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: Participants may be eligible for this study if they meet the following conditions: * Age 65 years or older. * Scheduled for elective (planned, non-emergency) major abdominal surgery, including colorectal, hepatobiliary, gynecologic, or urologic procedures. * Able to attend a routine preoperative evaluation visit. * Able and willing to complete brief assessments for muscle strength, walking, breathing strength, memory, and nutrition. Exclusion Criteria: Participants will not be eligible for the study if they have any of the following conditions: * Surgery is an emergenc…
Interventions
- Diagnostic TestFrailty assessment, nutrition assessment, cognition assessment, muscle strength testing
Participants will undergo a structured frailty and muscle-strength assessment battery performed during their routine preoperative evaluation. These assessments serve as the primary exposure measures of interest and include: Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) evaluation (functional frailty assessment) Respiratory muscle strength assessment (Maximal Inspiratory Pressure (MIP) and Maximal Expiratory Pressure (MEP) using a MicroRPM handheld respiratory pressure meter) Hand-grip strength measurement (using Jamar dynamometer) Physical performance evaluation (Timed Up-and-Go (TUG) test) Skeletal muscle mass estimation (Bioelectrical impedance analysis, InBody 120) Muscle thickness measurement (Rectus femoris muscle thickness using portable ultrasound) Cognitive function screening (Mini-Cog test) Nutritional risk screening (Perioperative Nutrition Screen \[PONS\]) No additional interventions beyond these observational assessments will be conducted.
Location
- University of North CarolinaChapel Hill, North Carolina