Clinical characteristics and outcomes of mechanically ventilated elderly patients in intensive care units: a Chinese multicentre retrospective study

BACKGROUND: In recent years, the number of elderly patients receiving mechanical ventilation (MV) in intensive care units (ICUs) has increased. However, the evidence on the outcomes of elderly mechanically ventilated patients is scant in China. Our objective was to evaluate the characteristics and outcomes in elderly patients (≥65 years) receiving MV in the ICU. METHODS: We performed a multicentre retrospective study involving adult patients who were admitted to the ICU and received at least 24 hours of MV. Patients were divided into three age groups: under 65, 65–79, and ≥80 years. The primary outcome was hospital mortality. We performed univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify factors associated with hospital mortality. RESULTS: A total of 853 patients were analysed. Of those, 61.5% were ≥65 years of age, and 26.0% were ≥80 years of age. There were significant differences in the principal reason for MV among the three age groups (P<0.001). Advanced age was significantly associated with total duration of MV, ICU length of stay (LOS), and ICU costs (all P<0.001), but not with hospital LOS and hospital costs (P>0.05). In addition, mortality rates in the ICU, hospital, and at 60 days significantly increased with age (all P<0.001). In the age group of 80 years and older, the mortality rates were 47.7%, 49.5%, and 50.0%, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis had found that age, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score, partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood/fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO(2)/FiO(2)) ratio, total duration of MV, ICU LOS, and the decision to withhold/withdraw life-sustaining treatments were independent influence factors for mortality rates. CONCLUSIONS: Mechanically ventilated elderly patients (≥65 years) have a higher ICU and hospital mortality, but the hospital LOS and hospital costs are similar to younger patients. Advanced age should be considered as a significant independent risk factor for hospital mortality of mechanically ventilated ICU patients.