[Diagnosis and clinical results in elderly patients in an internal medicine intensive care unit].
OBJECTIVE
To ascertain prospectively whether age is an independent prognostic factor for patients in a medical intensive care unit (MICU).


METHODS
The data recorded prospectively for all patients admitted to a MICU between October 1994 and April 1996 were analysed with regard to demographic items, admission diagnosis. APACHE II score, days spent in the MICU and mortality rate. The data were arranged by age group and admission diagnosis (APACHE II score).


RESULTS
753 patients were admitted, 423 aged 65 or over (56.2%). Analysis of subgroups among the latter revealed a significant decrease in cardiovascular admission diagnoses with increasing age (65-74 years: 59%; 75-84: 55%; 85 or over: 32%), while the opposite trend pertained for pulmonary disease (65-74 years: 10%; 75-84%: 19%; 85 or over: 21%). There was a significant correlation for the total collective between mortality rate and severity of the disease on admission to the MICU (APACHE II score; P < 0.05). Those 65 years or older had a higher APACHE II score (17.4 vs 12.0; P < 0.05) and thus a higher mortality rate than the younger patients (25% vs > 12%; P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Many of the patients admitted to a MICU were aged over 65 years. The incidence of cardiovascular ailments on admission decreased with increasing age, while the opposite trend was true for pulmonary disease. There was no difference in mortality rate between different age groups given similar disease severity.
Mayerhofer
L
L
1. Medizinische Abteilung, Sozialmedizinisches Zentrum Ost-Donauspital Wien.
Kurz
R W
RW
Schuster
R
R
Tragl
K H
KH
D018806:APACHE; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies