Elderly patients' preferences for long-term life support.
OBJECTIVE
To study elderly patients' preferences regarding mechanical ventilation and tube feeding and to compare their preferences for short-term use with their preferences for long-term use of these life support interventions.


METHODS
Interviews with patients by clinicians during routine office visits.


METHODS
Hospital-based, primary care geriatrics clinic in downtown Denver, Colo.


METHODS
Two hundred eighty-seven elderly persons (mean age, 77 years; range, 60-99 years).


METHODS
Preferences to use or withhold: (1) short-term mechanical ventilation; (2) long-term mechanical ventilation; (3) short-term tube feeding; and (4) long-term tube feeding.


RESULTS
Of the total sample, 253 patients (88%) would prefer short-term mechanical ventilation if the chance of recovering was reasonably good but only 11 (3.5%) would prefer long-term mechanical ventilation. One hundred eighty-nine (65%) would prefer short-term tube feeding, but only 13 (4.5%) would prefer long-term tube feeding in the setting of significant cognitive impairment.


CONCLUSIONS
Most elderly persons opt for short-term mechanical ventilation or tube feeding if the chance of recovering is reasonably good. Only a small minority would opt for long-term mechanical ventilation or tube feeding.
Presbyterian-St Luke's Medical Center, Denver, Colo., USA.
D J
DJ
Murphy
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Santilli
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003120:Colorado; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors