Population-based epidemiology of intensive care: critical importance of ascertainment of residency status

INTRODUCTION: Few studies evaluating the epidemiology of critical illness have used strict population-based designs that exclude subjects external to the base population. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential effects of inclusion of nonresidents in population-based studies in intensive care. METHODS: A population-based cohort study including all adults admitted to Calgary Health Region (CHR) multidisciplinary and cardiovascular surgical intensive care units (ICUs) between 1 May 1999 and 30 April 2003 was conducted. A comparison of patients resident and nonresident in the base population was then performed. RESULTS: A total of 12,193 adult patients had at least one admission to an ICU; 7767 (63.7%) were CHR residents, for an incidence of 263.7 per 100,000 per year. Male CHR residents were at significant increased risk for ICU admission as compared with females (330.5 per 100,000 versus 198.2 per 100,000; relative risk, 1.67; 95% confidence interval, 1.59–1.74; P < 0.0001), as were CHR residents aged 65 years and older as compared with younger patients (1719.9 per 100,000 versus 238.7 per 100,000; relative risk, 7.21; 95% confidence interval, 6.95–7.47; P < 0.0001). The mortality rate was significantly lower among non-CHR residents (12.7%) as compared with CHR residents (20.0%; P < 0.0001). Logistic regression modeling identified CHR residency as an independent risk factor for death (odds ratio, 1.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.2–1.5; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: This study provides information on the incidence of and demographic risk factors for admission to ICUs in a defined population. Inclusion of patients that are nonresident in base study populations may lead to gross errors in determination of the occurrence and outcomes of critical illness.