Peri-COMPASS 31
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Perioperative complications and autonomic dysfunction assessed by the COMPASS-31 assessment tool
IRAS ID
328971
Contact name
Gareth Ackland
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Queen Mary University of London
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 30 days
Research summary
As we age, the nervous system becomes damaged including the part responsible for controlling the speed in which the heart beats. This control is particularly important in patients undergoing surgery, where abnormal control can cause the organs of the body to not work properly and delay recovery from surgery. We believe a loss of autonomic function (a condition where involuntary bodily functions like heart rate or digestion may not work properly) might increase the risk of infections and other complications after surgery. This research will help us identify ways to better predict and reduce these risks, ultimately improving the care and recovery of surgical patients.
The Composite Autonomic Symptom Score-31 (COMPASS-31) score may provide in-depth assessment of these autonomic abnormalities in different organs before surgery. This scale includes 31 questions to identify organ dysfunction. However, preoperative COMPASS-31 has not been examined or related to how well patients recover after surgery.
This study aims to use a series of questions to see whether patients who are at most risk of complications can be identified before they have their surgery to improve the care they receive during the surgical period.
We will require 296 patients who are aged ≥ 50 years and over undergoing elective major noncardiac surgery under general anaesthesia to answer the study question. Patient recruitment will take place over 12 months.
REC name
Wales REC 6
REC reference
25/WA/0226
Date of REC Opinion
26 Aug 2025
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion