The association of patient age with postoperative morbidity and mortality following resection of intracranial tumors

INTRODUCTION: The postoperative functional status of patients with intracranial tumors is influenced by patient-specific factors, including age. RESEARCH QUESTION: This study aimed to elucidate the association between age and postoperative morbidity or mortality following the resection of brain tumors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A multicenter database was retrospectively reviewed. Functional status was assessed before and 3–6 months after tumor resection by the Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS). Uni- and multivariable linear regression were used to estimate the association of age with postoperative change in KPS. Logistic regression models for a ≥10-point decline in KPS or mortality were built for patients ≥75 years. RESULTS: The total sample of 4864 patients had a mean age of 56.4 ​± ​14.4 years. The mean change in pre-to postoperative KPS was −1.43. For each 1-year increase in patient age, the adjusted change in postoperative KPS was −0.11 (95% CI -0.14 - - 0.07). In multivariable analysis, patients ≥75 years had an odds ratio of 1.51 to experience postoperative functional decline (95%CI 1.21–1.88) and an odds ratio of 2.04 to die (95%CI 1.33–3.13), compared to younger patients. DISCUSSION: Patients with intracranial tumors treated surgically showed a minor decline in their postoperative functional status. Age was associated with this decline in function, but only to a small extent. CONCLUSION: Patients ≥75 years were more likely to experience a clinically meaningful decline in function and about two times as likely to die within the first 6 months after surgery, compared to younger patients.