The problem of preoperative assessment of patients of older age groups

Abstract

Age-associated processes combined with comorbidity affect the physiological reserves of patients of older age groups, having a negative impact on the surgery and the postoperative period. One of the most important geriatric syndromes, closely related to the treatment outcome in patients over 60, is frailty. The prevalence of frailty increases with age, and that is associated with a worsening of the perioperative prognosis, prolonged hospitalization, and an increase in mortality. The methods widely used for perioperative risk stratification do not take into account the presence and severity of frailty, changes in the functional state and reserve capabilities of the body, which reduces their sensitivity for patients of older age groups. The article considers the generally accepted approaches to risk stratification and identifies further development prospects in this area.