Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment, Treatment Decisions, and Outcomes in Older Patients Eligible for Pancreatic Surgery

Abstract

IntroductionPeriampullary cancer has a poor prognosis. Surgical resection is a potentially curative but high‐risk treatment. Comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) can inform treatment decisions, but has not yet been evaluated in older patients eligible for pancreatic surgery.MethodsThis prospective observational study included patients ≥ 70 years of age eligible for pancreatic surgery. Frailty was defined as impairment in at least two of five domains: somatic, psychological, functional, nutritional, and social. Outcomes included postoperative complications, functional decline, and mortality.ResultsOf the 88 patients included, 87 had a complete CGA. Sixty‐five patients (75%) were frail and 22 (25%) were non‐frail. Frail patients were more likely to receive nonsurgical treatment (43.1% vs. 9.1% p = 0.004). Fifty‐seven patients underwent surgery, of which 52 (59%) underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy. The incidence of postoperative delirium was three times higher in frail patients (29.7% vs. 0%, p = 0.005). The risk of mortality was three times higher in frail patients (HR: 3.36, 95% CI: 1.43–7.89, p = 0.006).ConclusionFrailty is common in older patients eligible for pancreatic surgery and is associated with treatment decision, a higher incidence of delirium and a three times higher risk of all‐cause mortality. CGA can contribute to shared decision‐making and optimize perioperative care in older patients.