Frailty factors and outcomes in vascular surgery patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective To describe and critique tools used to assess frailty in vascular surgery patients, and investigate its associations with patient factors and outcomes. Background Increasing evidence shows negative impacts of frailty on outcomes in surgical patients, but little investigation of its associations with patient factors has been undertaken. Methods Systematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting frailty in vascular surgery patients (PROSPERO registration: CRD42018116253) searching Medline, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Scopus. Quality of studies was assessed using Newcastle Ottawa scores (NOS) and quality of evidence using GRADE criteria. Associations of frailty with patient factors were investigated by difference in means (MD) or expressed as risk ratios (RR), and associations with outcomes expressed as odds ratios (OR) or hazard ratios (HR). Data were pooled using random effects models. Results Fifty-three studies were included in the review and only 8 (15%) were both good quality (NOS ≥7) and used a well-validated frailty measure. Eighteen studies (62,976 patients) provided data for the meta-analysis. Frailty was associated with increased age (MD 4.05 years; 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.35, 4.75), female sex (RR 1.32; 95%CI 1.14, 1.54), and lower body-mass index (MD -1.81; 95%CI -2.94, -0.68). Frailty was associated with 30-day mortality (adjusted [A]OR 2.77; 95%CI 2.01-3.81), post-operative complications (AOR 2.16; 95%CI 1.55, 3.02) and long-term mortality (HR 1.85; 95%CI 1.31, 2.62). Sarcopenia was not associated with any outcomes. Conclusion Frailty, but not sarcopenia, is associated with worse outcomes in vascular surgery patients. Well-validated frailty assessment tools should be preferred clinically, and in future research.</div

Should Asian men be included in abdominal aortic aneurysm screening programmes?

Introduction A national AAA screening programme for men aged 65 is shortly to be implemented in England. Trials that have provided evidence for this screening programme have not included information on ethnicity. Hence their findings may not be applicable to ethnically diverse populations. Report This study retrospectively looked at the prevalence of AAA in men aged 65, from different ethnic backgrounds in our city's current screening programme.19014 men (Caucasians n = 18,431, Asian n = 446, others n = 137) were screened. Prevalence was 4.69% (4.39–5% 95% CI), and 0.45% (0.054–1.161% 95% CI) in Caucasians and Asians respectively (Fisher's exact test: P < 0.0001). Discussion Prevalence of AAAs in men aged 65 of Asian origin appears to be low and so increases uncertainty about cost-effectiveness of screening Asian men

Device-measured physical activity behaviours, and physical function, in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus and peripheral artery disease: A cross-sectional study

Aim: To quantify differences in device-measured physical activity (PA) behaviours, and physical function (PF), in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with and without peripheral artery disease (PAD). Materials and methods: Participants from the Chronotype of Patients with T2DM and Effect on Glycaemic Control cross-sectional study wore accelerometers on their non-dominant wrist for up to 8-days to quantify: volume and intensity distribution of PA, time spent inactive, time in light PA, moderate-to-vigorous PA in at least 1-minute bouts (MVPA1min), and the average intensity achieved during the most active continuous 2, 5, 10, 30, and 60-minute periods of the 24-h day. PF was assessed using the short physical performance battery (SPPB), the Duke Activity Status Index (DASI), sit-to-stand repetitions in 60 s (STS-60); hand-grip strength was also assessed. Differences between subjects with and without PAD were estimated using regressions adjusted for possible confounders. Results: 736 participants with T2DM (without diabetic foot ulcers) were included in the analysis, 689 had no PAD. People with T2DM and PAD undertake less PA (MVPA1min: −9.2 min [95 % CI: −15.3 to −3.0; p = 0.004]) (light intensity PA: −18.7 min [−36.4 to −1.0; p = 0.039]), spend more time inactive (49.2 min [12.1 to 86.2; p = 0.009]), and have reduced PF (SPPB score: −1.6 [−2.5 to −0.8; p = 0.001]) (DASI score: −14.8 [−19.8 to −9.8; p = 0.001]) (STS-60 repetitions: −7.1 [−10.5 to −3.8; p = 0.001]) compared to people without; some differences in PA were attenuated by confounders. Reduced intensity of activity for the most active continuous 2–30 min in the 24-h day, and reduced PF, persisted after accounting for confounders. There were no significant differences in hand-grip strength. Conclusions: Findings from this cross-sectional study suggest that, the presence of PAD in T2DM may have been associated with lower PA levels and PF.</p

Leg Ischaemia Management collaboration (LIMb): study protocol for a prospective cohort study at a single UK centre

Introduction Severe limb ischaemia (SLI) is the end-stage of peripheral arterial occlusive disease where the viability of the limb is threatened. Around 25% of patients with SLI will ultimately require a major lower limb amputation which has a substantial adverse impact on quality of life. A newly established rapid-access vascular limb salvage clinic and modern revascularisation techniques may reduce amputation rate. The aim of this study is to investigate the 12-month amputation rate in a contemporary cohort of patients and compare this to a historical cohort. Secondary aims are to investigate the use of frailty and cognitive assessments, and cardiac MRI in risk-stratifying patients with SLI undergoing intervention and establish a biobank for future biomarker analyses. Methods & analysis This single-centre prospective cohort study will recruit patients aged 18-110 years presenting with SLI. Those undergoing intervention will be eligible to undergo additional venepuncture (for biomarker analysis) and/or cardiac MRI. Those aged ≥65 years and undergoing intervention will also be eligible to undergo additional frailty and cognitive assessments. Follow-up will be at 12 and 24 months and subsequently via data-linkage with NHS digital to 10 years post-recruitment. Those undergoing cardiac MRI and/or frailty assessments will receive additional follow-up during the first 12 months to investigate for peri-operative myocardial infarction and frailty related outcomes, respectively. A sample size of 420 patients will be required to detect a 10% reduction in amputation rate in comparison to a similar sized historical cohort, with 90% power and 5% type-I error rate. Statistical analysis of this comparison will be by adjusted and unadjusted logistic regression analyses. Ethics & dissemination Ethical approval for this study has been granted by the UK National Research Ethics Service (19/LO/0132). Results will be disseminated to participants, via scientific meetings, peerreviewed medical journals and social media. Study registration ClinicalTrials.gov [NCT04027244