title: Outcome of anesthesia in elective surgical patients with comorbidities.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Presence of comorbidity in surgical patients may be associated with adverse perioperative events and increased the risk of morbidity and mortality. This audit was conducted to determine the frequencies of comorbidities in elective surgical patients and the outcome of anesthesia in a Tertiary Hospital in Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational study of a cross-section of adult patients scheduled for elective surgery over a 6-month period. A standardized questionnaire was used to document patients' demographics, the presence of comorbidity and type, surgical diagnosis, anesthetic technique, intraoperative adverse events, and outcome of anesthesia. The questionnaire was administered pre- and post-operatively to determine the effects of the comorbidities on the outcome of anesthesia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred and sixty-five adult patients aged between 18 and 84 years were studied. There were 89 (53.9%) females and 76 (46.1%) males. Forty-five (27.3%) have at least one comorbidity. Hypertension was the most common (48.8%) associated illness. Other comorbidities identified include anemia (17.8%), asthma (8.9%), diabetes mellitus (6.7%), chronic renal disease (6.7%), and others. The perioperative period was uneventful in majority of patients (80.6%) despite the presence of comorbidities. Intraoperative adverse events include hypotension, hypertension, shivering, and vomiting. No mortality was reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hypertension was the most common comorbidity in this cohort of patients. The presence of comorbidity did not significantly affect the outcome of anesthesia in elective surgical patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Olayinka
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Eyelade
authors.forename: Arinola
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sanusi
authors.forename: Tinuola
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Adigun
authors.forename: Olufemi
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Adejumo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000758:Anesthesia / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011184:Postoperative Period; D055815:Young Adult