Impact of Frailty and Malnutrition on Outcomes After Surgical Fixation of Lower Extremity Fractures in Young Patients
Huai Ming Phen, C.B. Jones, Victoria Kravets, Kevin X. Farley, Andrew Schwartz, Jacob M. Wilson, Mara L. Schenker
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the relationship of nutrition parameters and the modified frailty index (mFI) on postsurgical complications within a young patient population sustaining lower extremity orthopaedic trauma. DESIGN: Retrospective observational cohort study. SETTING: Urban, American College of Surgeons-Verified, Level-1, Trauma Center. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Seventeen-thousand one hundred nine adult patients under the age of 65 sustaining lower extremity fractures undergoing operative intervention from 2006 to 2018. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: On admission, mFI and albumin levels were obtained, as well as complication data. Statistical analysis was used to analyze the association between frailty, malnutrition, and postoperative complications. Patients were stratified, healthy (mFI ≤1, albumin ≥3.5 g/dL), malnourished (mFI ≤1, albumin <3.5 g/dL), frail (mFI ≥2, albumin ≥3.5 g/dL), and frail and malnourished (mFI ≥2, albumin <3.5 g/dL). RESULTS: 60.4% of patients were healthy, 18.8% were malnourished, 11.7% were frail, and 9.0% were frail and malnourished. Frailty and/or malnourishment on admission predicted significantly higher odds of postoperative complications and mortality when compared with healthy patients. Frailty and malnourishment in conjunction predicted a significantly higher odds ratio of 1.46 (1.22-1.75) for developing postoperative complications when compared with the only malnourished. This was also observed when compared with the only frail (odd ratio: 1.61, P < 0.001); however, there was also a 2.72 (P < 0.001) increased odds of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Frailty and malnutrition in conjunction predicts a subset of patients with a higher risk of postoperative complications beyond that of frailty or malnutrition in isolation. Identification of these physiological states on admission allows for interventional opportunities during hospitalization. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.