Key result
Patient age did not demonstrate a linear correlation with cost per case for the costliest elective invasive procedures (R2 0.003-0.201), despite 8 of 16 procedures being statistically more expensive for patients aged 65 years and older.
Why the study?
It was unknown whether a correlation exists between patient age and hospital expenditures for common complex elective surgical procedures.
Does patient age ≥65 years increase hospital expenditures for common complex elective surgical procedures compared to age <65 years?
Observational (n=114,448)
No
Does patient age ≥65 years increase hospital expenditures for common complex elective surgical procedures compared to age <65 years?
While some complex elective procedures are more costly in patients aged 65 and older, age itself is not an independent linear predictor of hospital costs, suggesting age limits for these procedures should be re-examined.
Should not yet guide age-stratified cost models; leaves open non-linear or comorbidity-related cost drivers.
The objective of this study was to determine whether a correlation exists between patient age and hospital expenditures for common complex elective surgical procedures. Hospital charges at an urban academic medical center were categorized by diagnosis related group (DRG) and separated into two cohorts based on patient age (≥65 years old and <65 years old). The costliest elective procedures were identified and the average total hospital cost per procedure was calculated for each group. A Student t-test was performed to compare the average cost per procedure in each cohort and a linear regression model was performed to assess whether a linear correlation existed between patient age and cost per case. Among the costliest elective procedures identified, major elective cardiovascular, spine, and intestinal procedures were costlier in patients ≥65 years. Major transplantation, vascular procedures, and joint replacement surgery were not costlier. Further, none of the identified procedures demonstrated a linear correlation between patient age and cost per case. This finding, combined with other outcome measures, may allow us to re-examine the age limits for these complex procedures.
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Reisman et al. (2019) conducted an observational in Elective invasive procedures (n=114,448). Age ≥65 years vs. Age <65 years was evaluated on Linear correlation between patient age and cost per case for the 16 costliest elective procedures. Patient age did not demonstrate a linear correlation with cost per case for the costliest elective invasive procedures (R2 0.003-0.201), despite 8 of 16 procedures being statistically more expensive for patients aged 65 years and older.
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