Modified Essential Frailty Toolset for older adults having major elective non-cardiac surgery

Modified Essential Frailty Toolset for Predicting Postoperative Complications and Readmission in Older Adults Undergoing Major Elective Surgery

Observational University of Iceland · NCT07452263

This project will test whether a quick frailty checklist (the modified Essential Frailty Toolset) can predict complications and hospital readmissions in people aged 70 and older scheduled for major elective non-cardiac surgery.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment250 (estimated)
Ages70 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Iceland Academic / other
Locations1 site (Reykjavik, Hofudborgarsvaedid)
Trial IDNCT07452263 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Researchers will administer the modified Essential Frailty Toolset (mEFT)—a brief assessment covering cognition, anemia, serum albumin, and physical function—during preoperative work-up for patients aged 70 and above at Landspitali University Hospital. This is an observational study in which mEFT scores are recorded without changing planned care, and patients who undergo major elective non-cardiac surgery are followed for postoperative outcomes. Outcomes of interest include major postoperative complications, mortality, and 30-day readmission, with analyses comparing mEFT scores to these outcomes to determine predictive performance. Cardiac surgeries and patients who do not proceed to their planned operation are excluded.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 70 or older presenting for preoperative work-up at Landspitali and scheduled for major elective non-cardiac surgery are the ideal participants.

Not a fit: Patients undergoing cardiac surgery, those who do not proceed to their planned surgery, or people younger than 70 are not included and would not directly benefit from this validation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, using the mEFT could give clinicians a quick, practical way to identify older patients at higher surgical risk so care can be tailored to reduce complications and readmissions.

How similar studies have performed: The original Essential Frailty Toolset has shown strong predictive value for mortality and major complications in cardiac surgery populations, but the modified mEFT has not yet been validated in older adults having major elective non-cardiac surgery.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients ≥ 70 years who present for preoperative work-up at the admissions department at Landspitali and undergo frailty screening.
* Patients assigned to undergo major surgery

Exclusion Criteria:

* Cardiac surgery
* Not undergoing planned surgery

Where this trial is running

Reykjavik, Hofudborgarsvaedid

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Frailty in Adult SurgeryFrailty SyndromeElective SurgeriesReadmission RatesPostoperative ComplicationFrailtyPostoperative OutcomesMajor elective surgery
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.