Predictive value of the 5-factor modified frailty index for pneumonia in older adults with cervical spinal cord injury.
Frailty is associated with markedly higher odds of pneumonia after cervical spinal cord injury.
Predictive value of the 5-factor modified frailty index for pneumonia in older adults with cervical spinal cord injury.
To examine whether frailty, assessed using the 5-factor modified frailty index (mFI-5), predicts pneumonia and other complications in older adults with cervical spinal cord injury (cervical spinal cord injury).
Data from 94 adults aged ≥65 years who were treated for cervical spinal cord injury were retrospectively reviewed.
frailty raises the odds of pneumonia nearly sevenfold after cervical spinal cord injury
Frailty was identified in 19% of patients.
Overall, 45% of patients experienced complications, 37% developed infections, and 23% developed pneumonia.
The frail group demonstrated significantly higher rates of complications, infections, and pneumonia compared with the non-frail group.
Frailty, alongside high neurological injury level, was associated with an increased overall risk of complications.
Frailty, assessed using the mFI-5, is an independent predictor of pneumonia and infections in older adults with cervical spinal cord injury.
Early assessment of frailty may facilitate perioperative risk stratification, targeted preventive strategies, and informed clinical decision-making in this high-risk population.
SPONSORSHIP: This work was supported by the Jikei University Research Fund.