Quick frailty tests to predict outcomes after elective surgery
Feasibility and Validity of Frailty Screening Tools as a Measure of Postoperative Outcomes in Older Patients Undergoing Elective Surgery
This project will test whether quick frailty tests (PRISMA-7, timed up and go, and clock drawing) can predict postoperative outcomes for people 70 and older having intermediate or major elective surgery.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 350 (estimated) |
| Ages | 70 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Iceland Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Reykjavik, Hofudborgarsvaedid) |
| Trial ID | NCT07367828 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Frailty is a common condition in older adults that raises the risk of postoperative complications independent of age. This observational study will perform brief preoperative frailty screenings using tools such as PRISMA-7, timed up and go (TUG), and the clock drawing test (CDT) in patients aged 70 and over scheduled for intermediate or major elective surgery at Landspitali. Investigators will track postoperative outcomes including length of stay, readmission, complications, and mortality to compare how well each quick tool predicts those outcomes. The goal is to identify practical, time-efficient screening methods suitable for routine preoperative use in an elderly surgical population.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal participants are patients aged 70 or older who present for preoperative work-up at Landspitali and are scheduled for intermediate or major elective surgery.
Not a fit: Patients under 70, those not undergoing the planned surgery (including emergency cases), or those having only minor procedures are unlikely to be included or to benefit from the screening approach studied.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these quick screenings could help identify patients at higher risk before surgery so care teams can plan extra monitoring or tailored interventions to reduce complications.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have shown that various frailty measures often predict worse postoperative outcomes, but short screening tools like PRISMA-7, TUG, and CDT show variable accuracy and no single tool is universally accepted.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients ≥ 70 years who present for preoperative work-up at the anesthesia department at Landspitali. * Patients assigned to undergo intermediate/major surgery Exclusion Criteria: * Not undergoing planned surgery
Where this trial is running
Reykjavik, Hofudborgarsvaedid
- Landspitali - The national university hospital in Iceland. — Reykjavik, Hofudborgarsvaedid, Iceland (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Martin I Sigurdsson, MD, PhD
- Email: mingi@hi.is
- Phone: +354-824-8282
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.