Gait Speed As a Measure of Frailty and Outcomes After Lung Resection

Background: As a powerful, objective marker of frailty, 4-m gait speed (4MGS) can predict morbidity and mortality in various populations including cardiac surgery and oncology patients. Its role in thoracic surgery is understudied. This study aimed to evaluate associations between preoperative 4MGS and outcomes after pulmonary resection.

Methods: A cohort study analyzed patients undergoing pulmonary resections at a high-volume surgical center from January 2021 to October 2023. Preoperative 4MGS was prospectively collected by medical assistants as part of routine vital sign assessments in clinic. Uni- and multivariable analyses were performed to evaluate the associations of preoperative 4MGS with postoperative length of stay, adverse events, and discharge disposition, controlling for lung function (FEV1), extent of resection, comorbidity, and other covariates.

Results: Overall, 401 patients were included (median age, 69 years; interquartile range, 61-75 years): 123 (31%) lobectomy and 278 (69%) sublobar resection patients. After controlling for covariates, each decrease of 0.1 m/s in 4MGS was associated with average longer length of stay (beta, 0.12; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.01-0.23) and increased odds of adverse events (odds ratio [OR], 1.10; 95% CI 1.00-1.25). These associations were largely maintained when analyses were repeated within the lobar and sublobar cohorts. Among the sublobar resections, decreases in 0.1 m/s of 4MGS was associated with increased odds of discharge to home requiring home services or to a rehabilitation facility (OR, 1.10; 95% CI 1.00-1.22).

Conclusions: Preoperative 4MGS is independently associated with important surgical outcomes after lung resection. The 4MGS marker can complement other preoperative measures used to risk-stratify patients undergoing lung resection.