Relationship between multimorbidity and prevalence of frailty syndrome in patients qualified for elective cardiac surgery.

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Intorduction Frailty syndrome (FS) and multimorbidity are closely related but separate constructs that are associated with higher risk of death, higher rehospitalization rates, disability, and reduced quality of life. Identification of multimorbidity and FS in the cardiac surgery patient population appears to be important in terms of the qualification process, incidence of perioperative risk, and optimization of patient status before the cardiac surgery procedure. Purpose Analysis of the relationship between multimorbidity and FS in patients qualified for elective cardiac surgery. Methods The study included 100 patients ≥ 65 years of age (40 women and 60 men, mean age M±SD =71.69±4). The study included elderly patients qualified for elective cardiac surgery (coronary artery bypass grafting, valvular surgery or combined surgery). In the study group frailty was identified with the use of standardized research tools including those for one-dimensional and multidimensional assessment (FRAIL scale, Frailty Phenotype, 5-meter gaid speed, Tilburg Frailty Indicator, Tilburg Frailty Indicator - TFI). The presence of more than 3 chronic diseases was considered as multimorbidity. A significance level of 0.05 was assumed in the analysis, so all p<0.05 values were interpreted as indicating significant relationships. Results Multimorbidity was reported in 88% of patients qualified for cardiac surgery. The prevalence of FS varied according to the screening tool used.Based on FRAIL was reported in 27% of patients, based on Frailty Phenotype in 17% of patients, based on 5-meter gaid speed in 43% of patients, and based on TFI in 63% of patients. In patients with multimorbidity FS was significantly more frequent than in patients without frailty syndrome, which was confirmed by FRAIL (96.3% vs. 60.0%; p-=0.003) and TFI questionnaire (95.2% vs. 75.7%; p=0.008) scores. Conclusions 1. Most elderly patients qualified for elective cardiac surgery procedures are characterized by multimorbidity. 2 Multimorbidity is associated with a higher prevalence of FS in both unidimensional and multidimensional assessment. 3 This phenomenon requires further study, especially with regard to the occurrence of outcomes in this patient population.