Design and setting
This was a cross sectional study of 66 older patients and their proxies (e.g., age 70 and older) who presented to the Preoperative Assessment Clinic at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center for elective surgical procedures. Patients who are scheduled for elective procedures visit the clinic for preoperative medical and anesthesiology assessment prior to the procedures. Since most of the patients visit the clinic with companions, we determined that this clinic is ideal place to enroll. Eligible patients and surrogates were asked to provide written informed consent (IRB approval number 00040417; approval date 11/29/2016) before undergoing standardized assessments for frailty and mobility status by trained study personnel.
Inclusion criteria
We enrolled patients from January 17, 2017 to March 22, 2017, who met the criteria below: 1) age 70 years and older, 2) scheduled for elective surgical procedures, 3) accompanied by a proxy who was a caregiver of the patient or a family member and who spends a minimum of 1–2 h/day or 8 h/wk. with the patient. We enrolled an equal number of patients from lower, middle, and upper thirds of MAT-sf scores (lower ≤51.38 in men and ≤ 45.61 in women; middle 51.38 ≤ MAT-sf < 65.5 in men and 45.61 ≤ MAT-sf < 54.02 in women, and upper ≥65.5 in men and MAT-sf ≥ 54.02 in women). These subgroups were defined by our previous study of 197 elderly patients who were undergoing elective noncardiac surgeries [9].
Exclusion criteria
We excluded patients or proxies who had a language barrier that would prohibit them from understanding the questionnaire and directions to use the MAT-sf. We also excluded patients or proxies who could not provide informed consent. Patients and proxies gave separate verbal informed consent. We excluded 36 patients including 21 patients who did not have proxies, 7 patients who refused to participate, 5 patients who were missed, and 3 patients who were wheelchair-bound. Enrolled patients and excluded patients did not statistically differ in age and gender.
Mobility assessment
To assess mobility, participants were instructed on the use of the MAT-sf. The MAT-sf is a 10-item, computer-based assessment of mobility using animated video clips [11]. The 10 items used in the MAT-sf cover a broad range of functioning (walking on level ground, a slow jog, walking outdoors on uneven terrain, walking up a ramp with and without using a handrail, stepping over hurdles, ascending and descending stairs with and without the use of a handrail, and climbing stairs while carrying bags). Each item is accompanied by an animated video clip together with the responses for that question (number of minutes, number of times, yes/no). The tests were performed on a tablet (iPad, Apple, Inc) and were saved to an exportable file. While the patient is completing the MAT-sf assessment, the proxy was directed to a separate room to complete the MAT-sf for the patient (“Do you think Patient X can walk up this hill?”). To assess the stability of the proxy reported MAT-sf, the surrogates were asked to return within 2 weeks of the initial assessment and complete the MAT-sf on the patient a second time.
Statistical analysis
We used descriptive statistics to characterize patients’ demographic variables, the relationship between the patients and their proxies, the time spent by the proxy with patients, and MAT-sf scores expressed as mean ± SD, median with interquartile range (IQR), or percentages as appropriate. We determined the mean ± SD of MAT-sf for both patients and proxies (both time points). Spearman correlations and regression analyses were used to quantify the association between patient and proxy responses. Interpretation of the correlation coefficient was exemplified by descriptive terms adapted from Munro [12] as follows: 0.00–0.25 little, if any, correlation; 0.26–0.49 low correlation; 0.50–0.69 moderate correlation; 0.70–0.89 high correlation; 0.9–1.00 very high correlation. The intraclass correlation coefficient was used to quantify intra-rater reliability assessments by the proxies [13]. Reliability measures greater than 0.75 have been previously categorized as representing excellent agreement [14]. Tests of the slope in the regression analyses, versus a slope of one, were used to quantify the refinement of proxy assessments relative to patient assessments. To assess the degree of agreement between patient and proxy response, the Bland-Altman analysis (including 95% confidence intervals) was also performed [15]. Mean differences between paired assessments of MAT-sf were performed using paired t-tests. All analyses were conducted using SAS 9.4 and p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.