Factors affecting the mortality risk in elderly patients undergoing surgery

Abstract

Background: Factors affecting the mortality in elderly patients vary among different studies. This study investigates the influence of the patient-related factors, especially the effect of the diseased organ system on the mortality risk in the elderly.

Methods: Records of 942 operated patients aged 70 years and over were retrospectively examined. Age, sex, site of the diseased organ system, type of admission, benign/malign nature, American Society for Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, main surgical diagnosis, method of surgical therapy and concomitant diseases were examined for their influence on the mortality.

Results: There were 501 men and 441 women. Mean age was 75.5 years. Most of the patients had colorectal pathologies. Emergency surgery was carried out in 313 patients. Mortality rate was 11.8%. Cardiogenic shock was the leading cause of mortality. There was a strong linear correlation between ASA score and mortality. Logistic regression analysis concluded that higher (>= 3) ASA scores, operations under emergent conditions and diseases of the colorectal and upper gastrointestinal systems were significantly associated with higher mortality rates.

Conclusion: When combined with ASA score and type of admission, site of the diseased organ system may be a good indicator of mortality in the elderly patients undergoing surgery.