Frailty Syndrome in Biliary Tract Cancer Patients: Prevalence and Associated Factors

BACKGROUND: Frailty, a risk of unfavorable outcomes from disability to adapt to stressors, is common in the elderly but could occur in younger patients with cancer. This study focused on the prevalence of frailty in biliary tract cancer (BTC) and associated factors. METHODS: A total of 75 BTC patients receiving chemotherapy from January 2016 to September 2017 were enrolled. Frailty was diagnosed by the FRAIL (Fatigue, Resistance, Ambulation, Illnesses, and Loss of weight) scale. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were used to analyze factors associated with frailty. RESULTS: The prevalence rates of frailty and pre-frailty were 12% (9 cases) and 60% (45 cases). According to multivariate logistic analysis, three factors were associated with frailty, including old age, high body mass index (BMI), and history of liver surgery. The adjusted odds ratios of the factors were 1.12 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.24), 1.28 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.64), and 6.16 (95% CI: 1.11, 34.16), respectively. CONCLUSION: Frailty is not uncommon in BTC patients. Old age, high BMI, and history of liver surgery are important risk factors for frailty.