The Economic Impact of Frailty in Perioperative Patients

Frailty is a well-established risk factor for clinical adverse events in the early post-operative period. However, there is a lack of understanding regarding the economic impact of frailty in perioperative patients. This study aimed to fill this research gap by examining the costs associated with frailty in the perioperative period. The study found that older patients with frailty incurred significantly higher healthcare costs after major elective non-cardiac surgery compared to those without frailty. The costs were primarily driven by acute hospitalization and post-acute care, highlighting the need for increased support and resources for frail individuals undergoing surgery.