RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Assessing Frailty and Its Impacts on Patients Facing Major GI Surgery

This study aims to find easier ways to measure 'frailty' in older patients (70 and over) with bowel cancer who are going to have surgery. Frailty means feeling generally weak, tired, and less active, which can make surgery riskier. Doctors sometimes find it hard to accurately measure this. We are testing three new, simpler methods against current tests. The goal is to see if these new tests could help doctors better understand the risks and benefits of surgery for each patient. This could also help them offer personalised support, like exercise programmes, to improve fitness before surgery and aid recovery afterwards. This initial study will help us apply for a bigger project to improve care for frail cancer patients in the future.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Doncaster And Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Enrolment target

100

Start

30 Aug 2023

Estimated completion

01 Dec 2029

Bowel Cancer

What is this study about?

When people get older, especially over 70, they sometimes become 'frail'. This doesn't mean they're unwell with a specific illness, but rather that their body is less able to cope with stress, like a major surgery. Signs of frailty can include losing weight without trying, feeling very tired, having low energy, walking slowly, and not being very active. For bowel cancer, surgery is often the best treatment. However, if someone is frail, surgery can be riskier, leading to more complications or a slower recovery. Sometimes, doctors might even decide surgery is too risky for a very frail patient.

Currently, it can be quite tricky for doctors and nurses to accurately measure how frail someone is. The tests they use can be complicated and time-consuming. Because of this, it's hard to predict exactly who might struggle most with surgery or who might benefit from extra support to get stronger beforehand. If we could easily identify frailty, we could have better conversations with patients about what to expect from surgery, including the potential risks and benefits.

This study is looking at three new, simpler ways to measure frailty. We're comparing them to the usual tests. Our aim is to find easier and more reliable ways to find out how frail a patient is before their operation. If we succeed, this could help doctors offer specific programmes, like supervised exercise, to help patients become fitter before surgery, making the operation safer and improving recovery. This small study is a first step towards hopefully getting a larger grant to make big improvements in how we look after elderly and frail cancer patients.

Key takeaways

Aims to find simpler ways to measure frailty in older bowel cancer patients.
Frailty can make surgery riskier for older people.
Participation involves extra, non-invasive tests before and after surgery.
No new treatments or medicines are given as part of this study.
Helps improve care for future patients by providing better information for doctors.
You can withdraw from the study at any time without affecting your medical care.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for both men and women who are aged 70 or older. To take part, you need to have been diagnosed with bowel cancer that your doctors plan to treat with surgery to remove the cancer completely. You should also be preparing for this surgery, which is planned in advance (not an emergency operation).

It's very important that you are able to understand what the study involves and can give your permission to take part. This means we're looking for individuals who can follow instructions and make decisions about their medical care.

However, if your cancer has spread too much to be removed by surgery, or if you are having emergency surgery, you wouldn't be able to join this study. Also, if you are having chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment before your surgery, this study wouldn't be suitable for you.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 70 years old or older?
Do you have bowel cancer that your doctor plans to treat with surgery?
Is your surgery planned (not an emergency operation)?
Are you able to understand and agree to take part in the study?
Are you NOT having chemotherapy or radiotherapy before your surgery?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, you won't be given any new treatments or medicines. Instead, your participation will mainly involve undergoing some extra assessments to measure your frailty. These will be in addition to your usual medical appointments and tests before your surgery. These assessments are usually simple and quick, designed to evaluate things like your strength, energy levels, and walking speed. We expect these extra tests will be completed over one or two visits to the hospital or clinic before your operation. You will also have a follow-up assessment after your surgery to see how you are recovering. The total time you would be involved in the study from start to finish would be for a few months around your surgery.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study won't directly improve your health or treatment, as it's observing new ways to measure frailty rather than testing new treatments. However, by helping researchers find better ways to measure frailty, you'll be contributing to knowledge that could help future patients. This could lead to better care for older and frail patients with cancer, and potentially safer surgeries and better recoveries for them. There are very few risks involved, as you won't be given any new drugs or procedures; you'll just have some extra, non-invasive assessments. You are free to change your mind and leave the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Verified postcode
Doncaster, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What does 'frailty' mean?

Frailty means your body is less able to cope with stress, like sickness or surgery. It can involve feeling weak, tired, and less active.

Will I receive new treatment if I join?

No, this study is about finding better ways to measure frailty, not giving new treatments. You'll continue with your usual medical care.

How long will I be in the study?

You'll be involved for a few months around the time of your surgery, mainly for some extra assessments before and after your operation.

What if I change my mind about taking part?

You can leave the study at any time, for any reason, and it won't affect the medical care you receive.

How will this study help patients?

By helping researchers find better ways to spot frailty, this study could lead to more personalised and safer care for frail patients having cancer surgery in the future.

How to find out more

Jayan George

jayan.george@nhs.net 01302 366666 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.