Hospital Frailty Risk Score predicts adverse events in primary total hip and knee arthroplasty

Abstract Introduction The Hospital Frailty Risk Score (HFRS) is a validated geriatric comorbidity measure derived from routinely collected administrative data. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of the HFRS as a predictor for postoperative adverse events after primary total hip (THA) and knee (TKA) arthroplasty. Methods In a retrospective analysis of 8250 patients who had undergone THA or TKA between 2011 and 2019, the HFRS was calculated for each patient. Reoperation rates, readmission rates, complication rates and transfusion rates were compared between patients with low and intermediate or high frailty risk. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between the HFRS and postoperative adverse events. Results Patients with intermediate or high frailty risk showed a higher rate of reoperation (10.6% vs. 4.1%, p Conclusion The HFRS predicts adverse events after THA and TKA. As it derives from routinely collected data, the HFRS enables hospitals to identify at-risk patients without extra effort or expense. Level of Evidence Level III – retrospective cohort study