title: Aortic aneurysm trials in octogenarians: Are we really measuring the outcomes that matter?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study is a systematic review to determine the types of outcomes reported in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) studies of patients aged 80 and over. Specifically, it determines the types of patient-centered outcomes reported.
  
  
  METHODS
  MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched from 2000 to 2014 for studies on AAA surgery with outcome data on patients aged 80 and over. Outcomes were categorized according to Donabedian's framework for health quality indicators, with further classification as procedural, complication, resource or patient-centered outcome indicators.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty studies were reviewed. Patient-centered outcomes were infrequently reported (13%, n=5), with limited outcomes specifically relevant to older patients. No studies reported physical function, activities of daily living or cognition using validated assessment methods. Short-term mortality (95%, n=38) and complications (85%, n=34) were reported most frequently.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Reporting of aortic surgery outcomes in patients aged 80 and over requires a focus upon outcomes of primary importance to people of this age.
authors.affiliation: Concord Clinical School, Professorial Surgery Unit, Department of Vascular Surgery, New South Wales, Australia sarah.aitken@sydney.edu.au.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Aitken
authors.affiliation: Concord Clinical School, Centre for Education and Research on Ageing, Concord, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Naganathan
authors.affiliation: Concord Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Blyth
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D057510:Endovascular Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality; D023381:Endpoint Determination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D063868:Patient Outcome Assessment; D017064:Process Assessment, Health Care; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality
keywords: 80 and over; Patient outcome assessment; abdominal; aged; aortic aneurysm; health care; patient-centered care; quality indicators; review; systematic