Purpose
To evaluate the association between frailty and post-operative discharge destination after different types of commonly performed urologic procedures in older patients.
Materials and Methods
Using data from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) from 2011–2013, we identified commonly performed inpatient urologic procedures among patients age 65 and older. We then assessed the effect of frailty, measured by the NSQIP Frailty Index (NSQIP-FI), on discharge to a skilled or assisted living facility using logistic regression and assessed the heterogeneity of this effect across procedures using two-level random effects modeling.
Results
Overall, 1,144 out of 20,794 (5.5%) urologic cases, representing 19 different procedures, resulted in discharge to a skilled or assisted living facility. Cystectomy and large TURBT had the highest percentage at 16.3%. 25% of patients undergoing urology procedures were frail (NSQIP-frailty index [FI] 0.18+), including 9.8% of patients discharged to a facility. Even after adjustment for year, age, race, type of anesthesia, smoking status, recent weight loss, and whether or not the procedure was elective, frailty was strongly associated with discharge to a facility [adjusted OR 3.1 (96% CI 2.5, 3.8) for NSQIP-FI 0.18+ compared to NSQIP FI 0]. This finding was consistent across most procedures of varying complexity with an overall effect of OR 1.6 (95% CI 1.5, 2.0).
Conclusions
Increasing frailty is associated with discharge to a skilled or assisted living facility across most inpatient urologic procedures evaluated, regardless of complexity. This information is important for preoperative counseling with patients undergoing urologic surgery.