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Long‐term outcome of elderly patients requiring intensive care admission for abdominal pathologies: survival and quality of life *
Author(s) -
Merlani P.,
Chenaud C.,
Mariotti N.,
Ricou B.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
acta anaesthesiologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.738
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1399-6576
pISSN - 0001-5172
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-6576.2007.01273.x
Subject(s) - medicine , intensive care unit , quality of life (healthcare) , intensive care , population , emergency medicine , mortality rate , intensive care medicine , pediatrics , surgery , environmental health , nursing
Background: Medical developments have allowed the management of patients aged over 70 years with severe abdominal pathologies requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission. These patients require enhanced life support and present a high ICU mortality. We investigated the outcome and quality of life (QOL) of elderly patients 2 years after their ICU stay for abdominal pathologies. Methods: Patients aged 70 years or over with abdominal pathologies, admitted to our ICU over a period of 2 years, were included. Two years following their ICU stay, a letter informed the patients about the present study. Consent to participate was obtained by telephone. QOL was assessed by the Euro‐QOL and Short Form‐36 questionnaires. Other patient‐centered outcomes were evaluated. Results: Overall, 2780 patients were admitted to the ICU during the study period; 141 (5%) patients were eligible; 112 of the 141 (79%) survived their ICU stay, 95 (67%) survived their hospital stay and 52 (37%) were alive 2 years after their ICU stay; 36 of the 52 survivors (69%) answered the questionnaire. Their QOL 2 years after their ICU stay was decreased in comparison with an age‐matched population. Eighty‐one per cent of patients lived at home and 57% were totally independent. They perceived their ICU stay as positive and 75% stated that they would agree to go through intensive care again. Factors associated with 2‐year survival were the absence of co‐morbidity, absence of malignancy and a lower Simplified Acute Physiology II score on ICU admission. Conclusions: A high mortality rate and a decrease in QOL were observed in elderly patients with severe abdominal pathologies. Nonetheless, these patients were able to adapt well to their physical disabilities.