PREOP: an international study of elderly surgical oncology patients to optimize preoperative assessment

Purpose of the study: To test the predictive value of the Groningen Frailty Indicator (GFI), Vulnerable Elders Survey 13 (VES-13), timed “get up and go” and Preoperative Assessment of Cancer in Elderly (PACE) for postoperative mortality and morbidity. Method(s): International multi-center prospective cohort study. The combination of components of PACE, timed “get up and go”, the VES-13 and the GFI are administered within two weeks prior to the surgical procedure. Study population: Patients aged 70 years undergoing elective surgery for a solid tumor under general anesthesia are included. Outcome measures: Primary endpoint is 30 day morbidity and mortality. Secondary endpoints are length of hospital stay and the number of additional specialists involved in patient care in the 30 days after surgery.Patient data are recorded during the length of the hospital stay, the patient file is used to retrieve these data. Additional data are collected at the postoperative visit to the outpatient clinic. Result(s): This study has been recruiting since September 2008 and has now included 65 patients. It is expected to close in September 2010 after recruitment of 330 patients. Preliminary results will be presented.