Turkish Journal of Geriatrics 2020 , Vol 23, Issue 1
CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND FACTORS AFFECTING MORTALITY IN ELDERLY PATIENTS ADMITTED TO RESPIRATORY INTENSIVE CARE UNIT
Onur YAZICI1, Emel CEYLAN1, Mehmet POLATLI1, Åžule TAÅž GÃœLEN1, Fisun KARADAÄž1
1Adnan Menderes University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Chest Diseases, Aydin, TURKEY DOI : 10.31086/tjgeri.2020.134 Introduction: The number of geriatric patients being followed up in intensive care units (ICUs) has increased because of increased elderly population in our country and worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the clinical/laboratory features of patients aged over 65 years hospitalized in respiratory ICUs and to ascertain factors affecting mortality.

Materials and Method: Patients hospitalized in the respiratory ICU of Adnan Menderes University Medical Faculty between January 1, 2017 and January 1, 2018 were included. Patients aged 65 years and over were classified as the Elderly group, whereas those aged under 65 years were classified as the Non-Elderly group. The groups were compared for demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics. Parameters affecting mortality in the Elderly group were also evaluated.

Results: The mean age of 57 patients in the Non-Elderly group was 55.15 ± 9.57 years, and that of 101 patients in the Elderly group was 76.55 ± 7 years. In the Elderly group, urea and creatine levels were higher and pH was lower; the predicted mortality rate and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score were higher; however, mortality rates were similar. Factors affecting mortality were hypoalbuminemia, high APACHE II score, and vasopressor requirement.

Conclusion: The albumin level, APACHE II score, and VP requirement are more important for prediction of mortality in respiratory intensive care patients when compared to age. Keywords : Geriatrics; Mortality; APACHE