August 7, 2026 · Anesthesiology · DOI: 10.1097/ALN.0000000000006311

Fragility Index of Randomized Clinical Trials in Perioperative Anesthesia: A Methodological Survey of Guideline-Supporting Evidence

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The authors aimed to evaluate the Fragility Index (FI), Reverse Fragility Index (rFI), and Fragility Quotient (FQ) of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) cited in perioperative anesthesia guidelines, assessing how trial characteristics influence fragility. Their analysis of 161 superiority trials revealed that these trials generally had modest FI values, indicating that statistical significance often hinges on a limited number of outcome events. The study suggests that fragility metrics should be used alongside traditional measures of trial quality to better interpret the evidence supporting perioperative practices.

Margarita Otalora-Esteban, Juan Camilo Segura-Salguero, Amir Zabida, Veronica Echeverri Mallarino, Lorena Diaz-Bohada, Juan Diego Artistizabal-Mayor, Felipe Muñoz-Leyva, Fabián Gil, Martha Beatriz Delgado-Ramirez, Lehana Thabane

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