A Description of Interventions Prompted by Preoperative Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment and Optimization in Older Elective Noncardiac Surgical Patients

Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) and Optimisation Services in Older Kidney Patients: Results from the First UK-Wide Transplant Centre and Renal Unit Survey Study

Background: Demand for renal replacement therapy (including dialysis, transplantation and supportive care) in patients over 60 is increasing. Concerns regarding poorer outcomes and decision-making in this cohort have been raised. Evidence suggests these relate to frailty, multimorbidity and cognitive impairment, all seen frequently in older age. Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) is a multidisciplinary methodology proven to improve outcomes relating to this triad and could be transformative for older kidney patients. This national UK survey aims to describe (1) attitudes/beliefs of renal physicians and transplant surgeons in the UK toward the CGA for older potential kidney transplant recipients and those being considered for dialysis or supportive care; (2) provision of CGA services for these patients in the UK; (3) barriers and enablers to the provision of these CGA services in the UK. Methods: The UK's 72 renal units (RUs) and 23 adult kidney transplant centres (TCs) were invited to complete online surveys electronically using a protected link (24 April 2024-31 August 2024). Results: The response rate was 100%. Only six RUs offered CGA services. However, respondents overwhelmingly advocated CGA for older patients being considered for transplant (RUs 47/55, TCs 17/19), dialysis (RUs 52/54) and supportive care (RUs 51/54). Lack of funding to support CGA-OS (45/51), lack of available staff to deliver CGA (44/51) and time constraints (36/51) were reported barriers to implementing CGA by RUs. TCs identified lack of funding (13/18) and published evidence (12/18) as the main barriers. Conclusions: Transplant surgeons and renal physicians alike support CGA for older kidney patients, but only six UK units currently offer the service to these patients. Research developing and implementing CGA for this population is essential to optimise outcomes and influence policy at the national level.

Characteristics of older patients undergoing surgery in the UK: SNAP-3, a snapshot observational study

BACKGROUND

Frailty and multimorbidity are common in older adults, but the prevalence and interaction of these conditions in surgical patients remain unclear. This study describes the clinical characteristics of a heterogeneous cohort of older UK surgical patients.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective observational cohort study during 5 days in March 2022, aiming to recruit all UK patients aged 60 yr and older undergoing surgery, excluding minor procedures (e.g. cataract surgery). Data were collected on patient characteristics, clinical care, frailty, and multimorbidity measures.

RESULTS

A total of 7134 patients from 214 NHS hospitals were recruited, with a mean (sd) age of 72.8 (8.1) yr. Of all operations, 69% (95% confidence interval [CI] 67.9-70.1%) were elective, and 34% (95% CI 32.7-34.8%) were day cases. Of the patients, 19% (95% CI 18.3-20.1%) were living with frailty (Clinical Frailty Score ≥5), and 63.1% (95% CI 62.0-64.3%) were living with multimorbidity (count of ≥2 comorbidities). Those living with frailty, multimorbidity, or both were typically older, were from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, and experienced greater polypharmacy and reduced independence. Patients living with frailty were less likely to undergo elective and day-case surgeries. Four out of five (78.8% [1079/1369]) of those who were living with frailty were also living with multimorbidity; 27.1% (1079/3978) of those who were living with multimorbidity were also living with frailty.

CONCLUSIONS

In the UK, one in five older patients undergoing surgery is living with frailty, and almost two-thirds of older patients are living with multimorbidity. These data highlight the importance of frailty screening. In addition, they can serve to guide resource allocation and provide comparative estimates for future research.

Development of a minimum clinical dataset for preoperative comprehensive geriatric assessment using a modified Delphi technique

OBJECTIVE

To construct a standardised, consensus-guided minimum clinical dataset (MCDS) for preoperative comprehensive geriatric assessment and optimisation (CGA) in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.

METHODS

We conducted a review of the international perioperative literature to identify CGA domains and tools for potential inclusion in the MCDS. We invited members of the Australian and New Zealand Society for Geriatric Medicine to participate in a Delphi study to obtain consensus on MCDS tools. Participants were asked to rate proposed tools using Likert scales (when >2 tools) or make a binary choice between two proposed tools. Consensus was considered to be achieved when there was at least 75% concordance between the two rounds amongst the participants, and at least one variable attaining over 50% of participants' votes. Domains that did not achieve consensus in Round 1 were carried over to Round 2.

RESULTS

There were 73 participants in Round 1 of the Delphi study and 47 participants in Round 2. Consensus was achieved on tool/s recommended for every MCDS domain: Clinical Frailty Scale (frailty); sMMSE, RUDAS, MoCA (cognition); 4AT (delirium); timed-up-and-go (physical function); GDS-15 (mood); Barthel Index (functional status); and MUST (malnutrition).

CONCLUSIONS

We recommend clinicians delivering preoperative CGA consider the use of the MCDS we have constructed when assessing older people contemplating surgery, as part of a multicomponent and multidisciplinary approach to optimising perioperative outcomes.

Preoperative clinical characteristics and 12-month outcomes following operative or non-operative management of asymptomatic aortic aneurysms

DESIGN

An observational cohort study conducted at a tertiary referral center for aortic surgery to describe the medical and surgical characteristics of patients assessed for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair and examine associations with 12-month outcome.

METHODS

Patients with aortic aneurysms referred for discussion at the aortic multidisciplinary meeting (MDM). Data were collected via a prospectively maintained clinical database and included aneurysm characteristics, patient demographics, co-morbidities, geriatric syndromes, including frailty, management decision and 12-month mortality, both aneurysm-related and all-cause including cause of death. The operative and non-operative groups were compared statistically.

RESULTS

621 patients referred to aortic MDM; 292 patients listed for operative management, 141 patients continued on surveillance, 138 patients for non-operative management. There was a higher 12-month mortality rate in the non-operative group compared to the operative group (41% vs 7%, P = <0.001). In the non-operative group, 16 patients (29%) died of aneurysm rupture within 12 months, with 39 patients (71%) dying from other medical causes. Non-operatively managed patients were older, more likely to have cardiac and respiratory disease and more likely to be living with frailty, cognitive impairment and functional limitation, compared to the operative group.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that preoperative geriatric syndromes and increased comorbidity lead to shared decision to non-operatively manage asymptomatic aortic aneurysms. Twelve-month mortality is higher in the non-operative group with the majority of deaths occurring due to cause other than aneurysm rupture. These findings support the need for preoperative comprehensive geriatric assessment followed by multispecialty discussion and shared decision making.

Developing the workforce to deliver perioperative medicine for older people undergoing surgery: a transdisciplinary education programme

Patients who are older, frail and medically complex are increasingly presenting for elective and emergency surgical interventions. Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) and optimisation methodology improve morbidity and mortality in older surgical patients. However, there is a need to develop an extended and flexible workforce to provide patient-centred quality perioperative care and to simultaneously tackle the growing backlog of planned surgery following the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. At Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, Perioperative Medicine for Older People (POPS) delivers a transdisciplinary education programme for foundation doctors, specialty registrars and advanced clinical practitioners to develop a blended team with shared capabilities and goals in perioperative care. This case study outlines the framework of how the education programme was developed and its evaluation, and the ongoing work of POPS to disseminate knowledge and promote national innovation and collaboration.

Perioperative management of patients with anaemia: a new guideline

Anaemia is common before major surgery and increases complications. A new guideline aims to help with early diagnosis of the type and cause of anaemia and initiate effective treatment. The guideline includes clear education for all staff and patients about the biology of iron homeostasis and patient blood management.