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The effect of corticosteroids on early recovery after major surgery in eldery patients: CORTERAS study

Phase 4
Not yet recruiting
Conditions
Major surgery: robotic assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomies
Major surgery: peripheral vascular surgery (femoral popliteal bypass, tibial bypass, profundaplasty)
Major surgery: on pump coronary bypass surgery
Major surgery: off pump coronary bypass surgery
Major surgery: thoracoscopic lung resection surgery
Major surgery: laparoscopic colorectal surgery
Major surgery: minimal invasive valve repair or replacement surgery
Registration Number
2024-517602-28-00
Lead Sponsor
Ziekenhuis Oost Limburg
Brief Summary

The main objective of this prospective trial is to evaluate the effect of moderate dose corticosteroids on early post-operative outcome, focusing on muscle weakness, in elderly patients (≥60 years) undergoing complex major surgery.

Detailed Description

The number of elderly patients undergoing surgery is expected to increase in the coming years, due to the increase in life expectancy in the developing world. Compared to younger surgical patients, the older patients are at greater risk of mortality and morbidity after surgery.

Post-operative fatigue is an important complication after surgery. Not only is it reported by patients as one of the most distressing symptoms, it is also thought to be a significant contributor to delayed recovery after surgery. From a pathophysiological point of view, muscle weakness could be a major contributor to this post-operative fatigue.

Recent studies showed a profound reduction in muscle strength after surgery in elderly patients, which lasted for more than 3 months after surgery. This decrease in muscle strength might be induced by an excessive inflammatory response to surgery.

Glucocorticosteroids are capable of tampering an excessive inflammatory response to surgery and could improve the quality of recovery after surgery. However, a possible effect on post-operative muscle weakness hasn't been specifically investigated.

Therefore, the main objective of this prospective clinical trial is to evaluate the effect of corticosteroids on early post-operative outcome, focusing on muscle weakness, in elderly patients (≥60 years) undergoing surgery.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
Authorised, recruitment pending
Sex
Not specified
Target Recruitment
674
Inclusion Criteria

Aged 60 years or older

Scheduled for a complex major surgical procedure

Exclusion Criteria

Lack of informed consent or inability to give informed consent

Severe PONV, needing corticosteroids as PONV prophylaxis

Urgent, not elective surgery

Hypersensitivity or known allergic reaction to methylprednisolone

Preoperative use of steroids: including, but not limited to, the use of corticosteroids < 4 weeks before surgery of at least 4 mg methylprednisolone equivalents; excluding inhalational steroids

Preexisting muscle disease: including, but not limited to, Steinert's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Duchenne dystrophy, amputation of dominant arm or hand

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Postoperative muscle strength

Postoperative muscle strength

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Postoperative muscle function

Postoperative muscle function

Postoperative lung function

Postoperative lung function

Cognitive status (S5Q)

Cognitive status (S5Q)

Fatigue questionnaire (Chalder fatigue questionnaire)

Fatigue questionnaire (Chalder fatigue questionnaire)

QoR-15 questionnaire

QoR-15 questionnaire

EQ5D

EQ5D

NRS pain score 0-10

NRS pain score 0-10

PONV

PONV

Biochemical analyses and markers of coagulation

Biochemical analyses and markers of coagulation

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Ziekenhuis Oost Limburg

🇧🇪

Genk, Belgium

Ziekenhuis Oost Limburg
🇧🇪Genk, Belgium
Steven Thiessen
Site contact
+3289325294
steven.thiessen@zol.be

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