A study to describe recovery of older women after gynaecology surgery
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An observational study to describe postoperative functional trajectories in older women undergoing gynaeoncology surgery.
IRAS ID
213025
Contact name
Jugdeep Dhesi
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 2 months, 30 days
Research summary
Summary of Research
The purpose of this study is to describe postoperative recovery in older women following gynaecological surgery for cancer. We are particularly interested in the change in a person’s ability to perform activities that are important to them after surgery. These activities will range from washing & dressing through to using public transport or caring for loved ones. We will look at how changes may be affected by particular medical conditions or personal circumstances. This will allow us to gain a better understanding of how surgery affects patient’s day-to-day lives in the ‘medium to long-term’. We already know quite a bit about what happens in the ‘short-term’ i.e. immediately after operations and before people are discharged home.The questions older people most commonly ask are:
- How well will I recover after surgery?
- How long will my recovery take?
- What quality of life will I have in the months and years afterwards?This study will hopefully give us some of the information we need to provide a better answer.
This study is ‘observational’ which means that we will be collecting information about what is happening now and in the 6-12 months after the operation. The study will not involve any changes to the care currently given to people undergoing these operations. No experimental medicines will be used. We hope that the results of this study will show us areas where we can intervene to improve the longer-term outcomes and quality of life for people undergoing these operations in the future.
Summary of Results
Overall, of 103 eligible participants assessed pre-operatively, most (77, 70%) remained independent in personal care at all assessments from discharge to 12 months. Functional trajectories varied widely over the 12 months but overall there was no significant decline or improvement for the 65 women who participated in the final 12 month review. Eleven experienced a clinically significant decline in function at 6 months. This was associated with baseline low mood (P<0.05), albeit with small numbers (six of 11). Cognitive impairment and frailty were associated with lower baseline function but not with subsequent functional decline.REC name
London - Harrow Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/0297
Date of REC Opinion
23 Jun 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion