One-year outcome of elderly and young patients admitted to intensive care units.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the outcome of patients over and under age 65 admitted to two intensive care units (ICUs).


METHODS
Prospective, two-center study. Convenience sample of all admissions to two adult ICUs for a 1-yr period, with a 1-yr follow-up.


METHODS
Adult multidisciplinary closed ICUs.


METHODS
All patients (n = 1,040) admitted to two ICUs during a 1-yr period were entered into the study, except patients with self-induced poisoning. Of these patients, 145 patients were lost to follow-up.


METHODS
Admission statistics on all patients included demographic, case mix, and severity data. Variables associated with intensive care unit outcomes at discharge (length of stay, mortality) and at 1 yr from admission (mortality, functional capacity, health attitudes) were analyzed. Vital status was confirmed from both Alberta Vital Statistics and Alberta Health. Follow-up interviews were conducted with all available survivors.


RESULTS
The elderly group (> 65 yrs) comprised 46% of patients studied. Both age groups (> 65 yrs and < 65 yrs) had comparable demographics and illness severity measures. Although ICU and 1-yr mortality rates differed between groups (16% of > 65 yrs vs. 12.9% of < 65 yrs ICU mortality and 49% of > 65 yrs vs. 31% of < 65 yrs 1-yr mortality), age was not a major contributor to the variance in outcome. At 1 yr, 65% of patients admitted to the study were alive. Follow-up interviews were conducted with 75% of survivors. Assessment of activities of daily living showed that the elderly patients were similar to younger patients. The elderly demonstrated more positive health attitudes than younger survivors. Functional capacity was significantly associated with health attitudes of younger patients, but not for older survivors.


CONCLUSIONS
Age does not have an important impact on outcome from critical illness, which is most strongly predicted by severity of illness, length of stay, prior ICU admission and respiratory failure. Satisfaction with personal health should not be inferred from the functional status of elderly survivors of intensive care.
Rockwood
K
K
Royal Alexandra Hospital, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
Noseworthy
T W
TW
Gibney
R T
RT
Konopad
E
E
Shustack
A
A
Stollery
D
D
Johnston
R
R
Grace
M
M
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000416:Alberta / Q000453:epidemiology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003953:Diagnosis-Related Groups; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006304:Health Status; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome