Using digital data to assess frailty in older surgical patients
Informatics approaches to assessing patient frailty in surgical care
This study is looking at ways to better understand frailty in older adults who are having surgery by using health records and CT scans, so doctors can identify those who might be at higher risk for complications and provide safer care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Kaiser Foundation Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Oakland, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-10863962 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how to better assess frailty in older patients undergoing surgery by using electronic health records and CT scans. The study aims to develop two new metrics, one based on health records and another based on muscle mass from CT imaging, to identify patients at higher risk for surgical complications. By analyzing data from over 41,000 abdominal surgical patients, the research seeks to create standardized and objective measures of frailty that can be easily integrated into clinical practice. This approach could help healthcare providers make more informed decisions regarding surgical care for older adults.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are older adults who are scheduled for abdominal surgery.
Not a fit: Patients who are not undergoing surgery or are younger than the typical surgical candidate may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved surgical outcomes and reduced complications for older patients.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using electronic health data for patient assessments, but this specific approach to frailty assessment is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Oakland, UNITED STATES
- Kaiser Foundation Research Institute — Oakland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Feliciano, Elizabeth Marjorie Cespedes — Kaiser Foundation Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Feliciano, Elizabeth Marjorie Cespedes
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.