International Journal of Geriatrics · Oct 19, 2026
Latent class and transition analysis of postoperative frailty in older patients with colorectal cancer
By 夏敏
OBJECTIVE: To explore temporal transition patterns in latent classes of postoperative frailty in older patients with colorectal cancer and their influencing factors, providing a theoretical basis for clinical frailty interventions. METHODS: Convenience sampling was used to select 230 older patients with colorectal cancer admitted to Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital in 2023 as study participants. A general information questionnaire, Nutritional Risk Screening 2002, the Perceived Social Support Scale, and the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory were used to assess baseline status at 1 month postoperatively, the Groningen Frailty Indicator was used to assess patients' frailty characteristics at 1 month and 6 months postoperatively, and Mplus8.0 software was used for latent transition analysis. RESULTS: Of the 230 patients, 207 completed 2 surveys, with a loss-to-follow-up rate of 10.00%. Patients' postoperative frailty characteristics could be divided into 2 classes: a low-frailty group and a high-frailty group. The low-frailty group was relatively stable, with a probability of remaining in the original group of 74.83%. The high-frailty group was more likely to transition to the low-frailty group, with a transition probability of 53.33%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that patients with advanced age, high symptom burden, and postoperative chemotherapy were more likely to transition from the low-frailty group to the high-frailty group. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative frailty characteristics in older patients with colorectal cancer exhibit population heterogeneity, and patients with advanced age, high symptom burden, and postoperative chemotherapy are more likely to deteriorate from a low-frailty state to a high-frailty state; healthcare professionals need to identify populations at potentially high risk of frailty as early as possible, dynamically monitor frailty status according to their characteristics, and implement individualized management to prevent or reverse frailty.