Predictors of postoperative overall and severe complications after surgical treatment for endometrial cancer: the role of the fragility index

Objective: To evaluate the predictive value of obesity, comorbidities, and fragility on overall and severe complication rate and survival among patients surgically treated for endometrial cancer. Methods: Consecutive patients with endometrial cancer treated at the Royal Infirmary Hospital of Edinburgh from June 1, 2015, to June 30, 2017, were retrospectively enrolled in an observational study. Considering pre-existing medical conditions, comorbidities, and complications, modified fragility index (mFI) was calculated. Logistic regression was used to evaluate predicting variables of overall (G1–G4) and severe (G3–G4) complication rate. Results: One hundred patients were surgically treated for endometrial cancer. Elevated mFI >3 was related to a statistically higher access rate to the high dependency unit (HDU) or intensive care unit (ITU) (33.3% vs 6.6%, P=0.013). Overall, 31 women had postoperative complications. Using multivariate analysis, it was shown that undergoing laparotomy (odds ratio [OR] 7.06, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.52–19.71; P<0.001) and having an mFI >3 (OR 7.19, 95% CI 1.43–36.25; P=0.021) were independent predictors of overall complications (G1–G4). Moreover, only smoking (OR 5.01, 95% CI 1.15–21.75; P=0.031) and mFI >3 (OR 5.16, 95% CI 1.07–24.94; P=0.047) were independent factors for severe complications (G3–G4). Conclusion: Modified fragility index was an important predictor of complications among patients treated for endometrial cancer and could be a useful tool for assisting clinicians in perioperative management.