Frailty is associated with worse outcomes in geriatric pelvic fractures
Location
Philadelphia, PA
Start Date
3-5-2023 1:00 PM
End Date
3-5-2023 4:00 PM
Description
INTRODUCTION: Frail, geriatric patients with pelvic fractures can present differently than their non-frail counterparts. Using the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), a retrospective analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between patients’ CFS and outcomes after pelvic fractures. We hypothesized that frail (F), geriatric trauma patients with pelvic fractures would have worse outcomes than their non-frail (NF) counterparts.
METHODS: All geriatric (≥ 65y) patients with pelvic fractures and a documented frailty score from 2019-2021 at our Level I trauma center were analyzed. Frailty was measured using the Clinical Frailty Scale. A score of 1 = Very Fit, 2 = Well, 3 = Managing Well, 4 = Vulnerable, 5 = Mildly Frail, 6 = Moderately Frail, 7 = Severely Frail, 8 = Very Severely Frail, and 9 = Terminally Ill. We defined a clinical frailty score of > 4 as F and ≤ 4 as NF. Frailty score, demographic, clinical, and outcome variables were compared between F and NF geriatric pelvic fracture patients.
RESULTS: There were 70 patients included in the study. 41 (59%) of these patients were frail. All patients had blunt mechanisms of injury. There was no difference in mortality. The Frail group were older. Frail were most likely to be discharged to a skilled nursing facility (65.8% of F), while NF were most likely to be discharged to acute rehab (52% of NF). F had lower functional status at discharge (FSD) than NF (14.5 vs. 16, p=0.015).
DISCUSSION: F patients with pelvic fractures have worse outcomes than NF in this preliminary patient population of geriatric frail pelvic fracture patients. These patients, when compared to their NF counterparts, tend to be older, have lower FSD, and more often discharge to a skilled nursing facility. Special attention should be focused on this vulnerable population to ensure they receive optimal treatment.
Embargo Period
9-1-2023
Frailty is associated with worse outcomes in geriatric pelvic fractures
Philadelphia, PA
INTRODUCTION: Frail, geriatric patients with pelvic fractures can present differently than their non-frail counterparts. Using the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), a retrospective analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between patients’ CFS and outcomes after pelvic fractures. We hypothesized that frail (F), geriatric trauma patients with pelvic fractures would have worse outcomes than their non-frail (NF) counterparts.
METHODS: All geriatric (≥ 65y) patients with pelvic fractures and a documented frailty score from 2019-2021 at our Level I trauma center were analyzed. Frailty was measured using the Clinical Frailty Scale. A score of 1 = Very Fit, 2 = Well, 3 = Managing Well, 4 = Vulnerable, 5 = Mildly Frail, 6 = Moderately Frail, 7 = Severely Frail, 8 = Very Severely Frail, and 9 = Terminally Ill. We defined a clinical frailty score of > 4 as F and ≤ 4 as NF. Frailty score, demographic, clinical, and outcome variables were compared between F and NF geriatric pelvic fracture patients.
RESULTS: There were 70 patients included in the study. 41 (59%) of these patients were frail. All patients had blunt mechanisms of injury. There was no difference in mortality. The Frail group were older. Frail were most likely to be discharged to a skilled nursing facility (65.8% of F), while NF were most likely to be discharged to acute rehab (52% of NF). F had lower functional status at discharge (FSD) than NF (14.5 vs. 16, p=0.015).
DISCUSSION: F patients with pelvic fractures have worse outcomes than NF in this preliminary patient population of geriatric frail pelvic fracture patients. These patients, when compared to their NF counterparts, tend to be older, have lower FSD, and more often discharge to a skilled nursing facility. Special attention should be focused on this vulnerable population to ensure they receive optimal treatment.