Impact of frailty on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography outcomes in nonagenarians: A United States national experience

BACKGROUND Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is an essential therapeutic tool for biliary and pancreatic diseases. Frail and elderly patients, especially those aged >= 90 years are generally considered a higher-risk population for ERCP-related complications. AIM To investigate outcomes of ERCP in the Non-agenarian population (>= 90 years) concerning Frailty. METHODS This is a cohort study using the 2018-2020 National Readmission Database. Patients aged >= 90 were identified who underwent ERCP, using the international classification of diseases-10 code with clinical modification. Johns Hopkins's adjusted clinical groups frailty indicator was used to classify patients as frail and non-frail. The primary outcome was mortality, and the secondary outcomes were morbidity and the 30 d readmission rate related to ERCP. We used univariate and multivariate regression models for analysis. RESULTS A total of 9448 patients were admitted for any indications of ERCP. Frail and non-frail patients were 3445 (36.46%) and 6003 (63.53%) respectively. Indications for ERCP were Choledocholithiasis (74.84%), Biliary pancreatitis (9.19%), Pancreatico-biliary cancer (7.6%), Biliary stricture (4.84%), and Cholangitis (1.51%). Mortality rates were higher in frail group [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.68, P = 0.02]. The Intra-procedural complications were insignificant between the two groups which included bleeding (aOR = 0.72, P = 0.67), accidental punctures/lacerations (aOR = 0.77, P = 0.5), and mechanical ventilation rates (aOR = 1.19, P = 0.6). Post-ERCP complication rate was similar for bleeding (aOR = 0.72, P = 0.41) and post-ERCP pancreatitis (aOR = 1.4, P = 0.44). Frail patients had a longer length of stay (6.7 d vs 5.5 d) and higher mean total charges of hospitalization ($78807 vs $71392) compared to controls (P < 0.001). The 30 d all-cause readmission rates between frail and non-frail patients were similar (P = 0.96). CONCLUSION There was a significantly higher mortality risk and healthcare burden amongst nonagenarian frail patients undergoing ERCP compared to non-frail. Larger studies are warranted to investigate and mitigate modifiable risk factors.