Premorbid frailty predicts short- and long-term outcomes of reperfusion treatment in acute stroke.

backgroundFrailty is the most important short- and long-term predictor of disability in the elderly and, thus, might influence the clinical outcome of acute treatment of stroke.

objectiveTo evaluate whether frailty predicts short- and long-term all-cause mortality and neurological recovery in elderly patients who underwent reperfusion acute treatment of stroke.

methodsThe study included consecutive patients older than 65 years who underwent reperfusion treatment in a single stroke unit from 2015 to 2016. Predictors of stroke outcomes were assessed including demographics, baseline NIHSS, time to needle, treatment and medical complications. Premorbid frailty was assessed with a comprehensive geriatric assessment including functional, nutritional, cognitive, social and comorbidities status. At three and twelve months, all-cause death and clinical recovery (using modified Rankin scale, mRS) were evaluated.

resultsOne-hundred and two patients who underwent acute reperfusion treatment for stroke entered the study (mean age 77.5, 65-94 years). Frailty was diagnosed in 32 out of 102 patients and associated with older age (p = 0.001) but no differences in baseline NIHSS score, vascular risk profile or treatment management strategy. Frailty status was associated with worse improvement at 24 h and higher in-hospital mortality. At follow-up, frail patients showed poorer survival at 3 (25% vs 3%, p = 0.008) and 12 (38% vs 7%, p = 0.001) months. Frailty was the best predictor of neurological recovery at one year follow-up (mRS 3.2 ± 1.9 vs 1.9 ± 1.9). DISCUSSION: Frailty is an important predictor of efficacy of acute treatment of stroke beyond classical predictors of stroke outcomes. Larger longitudinal studies are, thus, warranted to evaluate the risk-benefit of reperfusion treatment in the growing elderly frail population.