Frailty is associated with long-term outcomes in older trauma patients: A prospective cohort study

Abstract

BackgroundMost major trauma admissions are older adults, many of whom are living with frailty - a recognised risk factor for post-injury mortality. ObjectivesTo describe the effect of frailty, and geriatrician review on mortality up to 4-years after hospitalisation following trauma. MethodsThis prospective cohort study included patients 65 years or older admitted to North Bristol NHS Trusts’ Major Trauma Centre from November 2018 to September 2019. The primary outcome was time-to-mortality, assessed with an adjusted multivariable Cox regression model. Analyses were adjusted for factors known to be associated with mortality including age, sex, comorbidities, injury factors, surgical procedure, and complications. Results573 patients were included: median age was 81 years; 67.5 % were living with frailty (Clinical Frailty Scale, CFS 4–8). Mortality was 45.2 % at the end of the study. Compared to fit patients (CFS 1-2), risk of death increased in those living with very mild frailty (CFS 4; aHR 3.22 [95 % CI 1.53–6.77]), mild frailty (CFS 5; aHR 4.97 [95 % CI 2.40–10.28]), moderate frailty (CFS 6; aHR 5.94 [95 % CI 2.83–12.44]), and moderate to severe frailty (CFS 7–8; aHR 9.63 [95 % CI 4.35–21.32]). Geriatrician review was associated with less mortality (aHR 0.55, 95 % CI 0.38–0.79). ConclusionsFrailty predicts long-term mortality in older trauma. Our findings have implications for clinician-patient discussions of prognosis and therapy goals. Furthermore, our results lend support to the routine provision of geriatrician input in trauma pathways.