Key result
Among 156 surveyed Indian anesthesiologists, 88.5% conducted functional assessments in geriatric patients, but only 48.7% were aware of frailty scoring and 30.8% of the Charlson comorbidity index.
Why the study?
Comprehensive preoperative geriatric evaluations help predict perioperative outcomes in elderly patients, prompting an evaluation of preanesthetic assessment practices among anesthesiologists.
Cross-Sectional (n=156)
Indian anesthesiologists show high awareness of functional and cognitive assessments but lack awareness of specific geriatric scoring systems like frailty and Charlson comorbidity indices.
Survey identifies variable anesthesiologist PAC practices in elderly; leaves open whether standardized geriatric evaluations improve perioperative outcomes.
Background: Comprehensive preoperative geriatric evaluations, including frailty, diet, mobility aid use, physical activity, cognitive testing, and mood state assessment, help predict perioperative outcomes in elderly patients. Material and Methods: An online questionnaire-based Google survey was prepared to assess preanesthetic checkup (PAC) in elderly patients by practicing anesthesiologists over 3 months. Data about respondent demographics, knowledge about preoperative investigations, and utilization of validated tools for risk assessment in geriatric patients were collected and analyzed descriptively using different percentages and frequencies. Results: The invitation was sent to 500 anesthesiologists. One hundred and fifty-six recipients responded to the e-mail invitation producing an overall response rate of 31.2%. About 47.4% and 42.4% of anesthesiologists had an equal preference for regional/general anesthesia in conducting elderly elective cases for surgeries, the choice of anesthesia was mainly regional anesthesia in cognitively impaired elderly patients. Nearly 88.5% and 78.2% of practicing anesthesiologists were well aware and conducted the functional assessment and mini—mental state examination in geriatric patients, but only 48.7% were aware of frailty scoring, 30.8% were aware of Charlson comorbidity scoring index, and 24.4% were about Elderly Mobility Scale (EMS). Conclusion: Surgical results are strongly influenced by the general health, work, and life expectancy of patients. A comprehensive preoperative geriatric evaluation of patients must be extended beyond an organ-based or disease-based evaluation. We support the inclusion in the PAC of geriatric patients of validated score systems, including frailty score, Charlson comorbidity score index, EMS, functional assessment, and mini—mental state assessment.
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Ahluwalia et al. (2021) conducted a cross-sectional in Preanesthetic assessment practices (n=156). Online questionnaire-based survey on preanesthetic checkup in elderly patients was evaluated on Knowledge and utilization of validated tools for risk assessment in geriatric patients. Among 156 surveyed Indian anesthesiologists, 88.5% conducted functional assessments in geriatric patients, but only 48.7% were aware of frailty scoring and 30.8% of the Charlson comorbidity index.
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