Key result
Advanced age (≥80 years) was associated with a higher risk of in-hospital mortality and postoperative complications following emergency general surgery compared to young adults.
Why the study?
The number of elderly patients undergoing emergency surgery is increasing, but trends and outcomes over time in rapidly aging populations like South Korea needed investigation.
Does advanced age increase mortality and complications in patients undergoing emergency general surgery?
Observational (n=2,733)
No
Does advanced age increase mortality and complications in patients undergoing emergency general surgery?
Advanced age is associated with significantly higher mortality, complications, and medical costs following emergency general surgery.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Elderly patients show higher risks and costs after emergency surgery; leaves open need for targeted strategies in aging populations.
Purpose: The number of elderly patients, especially aged 80 years, undergoing emergency surgery is gradually increasing.The aim of this study was to find out the trends and results of emergency general surgery for elderly patients over 9 years in an emergency medical center in South Korea, where the population is aging most rapidly.Methods: The clinical characteristics, outcomes, and medical expenses of emergency general surgery for the elderly (aged 65-79 years) and highly elderly (aged 80 years) patients who visited to a regional emergency medical center from 2012 to 2020 were analyzed.Results: The number of highly elderly patients increased with each 3-year interval, whereas the proportion of patients aged 19-79 years was similar, and that of pediatric patients was decreasing.The higher the age group, the higher the mortality (young adult vs. elderly vs. highly elderly: odds ratio [OR], 1 vs. 3.689 vs. 11.293;P < 0.001) and complication rates (OR, 1 vs. 2.840 vs. 4.633; P < 0.001), and longer length of hospital stay ( = 0.949, P = 0.001) even after adjusting for the type of surgery and the American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification.Non-covered medical expenses were significantly related to the age groups ( = 151,608.802,P < 0.001).Conclusion: The higher age group was associated with increased number of unfavorable outcomes after emergency general surgery, along with increased medical cost.Efforts to prevent emergency surgery for elderly patients and a specialized treatment system are needed.
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Park et al. (2023) conducted an observational in Emergency general surgery (n=2,733). Advanced age (≥80 years) vs. Young adults (19-64 years) was evaluated on In-hospital mortality (OR 11.293, 95% CI 3.506-36.379, p=<0.001). Advanced age (≥80 years) was associated with a higher risk of in-hospital mortality and postoperative complications following emergency general surgery compared to young adults.
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