Resumen

POMA, Jaquelyn et al. Morbidity and mortality of patients older than 60 years of age in an intensive care unit of a general hospital. Rev Med Hered [online]. 2012, vol.23, n.1, pp.16-22. ISSN 1018-130X.

Objective: To determine the morbidity and mortality of patients older than 60 years of age admitted into an intensive care unit (ICU) of a general hospital. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Patients admitted from July 2006 to December 2009 were included. Data were gathered from the clinical charts and from registers of mechanical ventilation and hemodynamic monitoring of the unit. Results: Bed utilization was 38% for patients above 60 years of age compared to 62% for younger patients (p=0.0001). The main cause of admission was respiratory insufficiency in 30.5%. No age difference was observed in the tenth main causes of admission. Elder patients had more co-morbid conditions: 78.6% vs. 54.5%, p=0.071. Mortality rate in patients <60 years of age was 29%; it was 23.6% in patients < 60 years of age; 22.4% in the 60-69 years of age group; 35.9% in the 70-79 age group and 31.4% in the >80 years age group (p=0.04). Conclusions: 38% of patients admitted to the ICU were older than 60 years of age. There is no age difference in the main reasons for admission, but there is more mortality in older patients.

Palabras clave : Morbidity; mortality; aged; intensive care.

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