The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Frailty in Liver Transplant Candidates

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Frailty is associated with higher rates of morbidity, mortality, and failure to rescue after major surgical procedures [1]. Sarcopenia is degenerative loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength. It is a key component of physical frailty and is associated with poorer post-surgical outcomes due to decreased patient strength and vitality.

Detailed Description
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This study seeks to examine whether the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic, an ongoing global health crisis that was declared a national emergency by the US Federal Government on March 13, 2020, has exacerbated both frailty and sarcopenia in a population of liver transplant candidates.

Official Title
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The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Frailty in Liver Transplant Candidates

Conditions
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Sarcopenia, Frailty, COVID-19

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: COVID Patients who Underwent pre-transplant frailty assessment (PFA) at MDMC


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Age 18 years and older Underwent pre-transplant frailty assessment (PFA) at MDMC Exclusion Criteria: Not a patient at Liver Institute at Methodist Dallas

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 75 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Intervention/Treatment |
| --- |
|Behavioral: COVID Patients who Underwent pre-transplant frailty assessment (PFA) at MDMC|This is a single-center, retrospective study that uses de-identified, anonymized patient data. Data from 369 liver transplant candidates who underwent pre-transplant frailty assessments at the Liver Institute at Methodist Dallas from April 1, 2018 to February 28, 2022. The study data will be divided into cohorts: pre-COVID and COVID. Specifically, the pre-COVID period will consist of the dates between April 1st, 2018 and March 12, 2020, while the COVID period will consist of the dates between March 13, 2020 and February 28th, 2022.|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| To determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence of sarcopenia | To determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence of sarcopenia and frailty in patients undergoing liver transplant evaluation at Methodist Dallas Medical Center | 2 years | 
| To determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence of sarcopenia | To determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence of sarcopenia and frailty in patients undergoing liver transplant evaluation at Methodist Dallas Medical Center | 2 years | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Changes in number of comorbidities between pre- and during/post-pandemic periods | Changes in number of comorbidities between pre- and during/post-pandemic periods | 1 year | 
| Changes in type of comorbidities between pre- and during/post-pandemic periods | Changes in type of comorbidities between pre- and during/post-pandemic periods | 1 year | 
| Changes in severity of comorbidities between pre- and during/post-pandemic periods | Changes in severity of comorbidities between pre- and during/post-pandemic periods | 1 year |