title: Factors predicting morbidity and mortality in intestinal fistulae.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Intestinal fistulae are a daunting clinical problem.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the influence of various severity factors on morbidity and mortality in patients with intestinal fistulae.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 29 patients with intestinal fistulae, eight severity factors, viz., age, associated bowel disease, anemia, hypoalbuminemia, high-output fistula, category IV fistula, excoriation of skin surrounding the stoma, and sepsis, were analyzed prospectively to assess their effect on healing of fistulae and mortality. Chi-squared test with Yates' correction was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Age, presence of associated bowel disease, and hemoglobin levels had no significant effect on healing or mortality. Hypoalbuminemia, category IV fistulae, presence of local skin excoriation, and sepsis significantly delayed healing (p < 0.05). High-output fistula, category IV fistula, local skin excoriation, and sepsis were significantly associated with high mortality (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Identification of these prognostic factors in intestinal fistulae may guide the need for more intensive care or intervention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Seth G S Medical College, Mumbai.
authors.forename: A N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Supe
authors.forename: N P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Rangnekar
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Deshpande
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Moorthy
mesh_terms: D017577:Cutaneous Fistula / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007412:Intestinal Fistula / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors