Geriatrics in the Intensive Care Unit

Overview

Life expectancy is longer in populations of medium- and high-income countries. Older adults are an increasingly large population in intensive care units (ICUs). There are limited publications about the epidemiology, benefits, expenditure, and outcomes of elderly and very old critically ill patients. We are designing a study to characterize older adults admitted to the intensive care unit and determine factors associated with adverse outcomes. The discharge registry of the ICU of a third-level hospital was reviewed. Records from January to December 2024 were reviewed. Three age groups were selected for comparison: A. \<65 years; B. 65-79 years; C. 80 years and above. The outcomes to compare will be: mortality, need for invasive mechanical ventilation, ICU length of stay, and duration of mechanical ventilation.

Background: Older adults represent a significant and increasing proportion of patients admitted to the intensive care unit, as the population's life expectancy is longer. The study aims to investigate factors associated with mortality in geriatric patients receiving critical care. Methodology: We are designing a retrospective analytical cross-sectional clinical trial. The discharge records from January to December 2024 of one of the intensive care units (ICUs) from the Orinoco region in Colombia will be reviewed. The records will be divided into three groups for comparison: A. Lower than 65 years; B. between 65 and 79 years; C. 80 years and older. The records of patients admitted to the intermediate unit will be excluded. Outcomes to be evaluated will include mortality, ICU length of stay, invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), and duration of IMV. The data will be exported to Excel. The frequency and proportion of categorical variables will be described. The central distribution and dispersion of quantitative variables will also be defined. Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests will be used for the statistical comparison of the variables. A value \<0.05 of p will be designated as statistical significance. Results: The frequency of older adults admitted to the ICU will be revealed at the end of the study. The outcomes and factors associated with mortality by age groups will be discriminated. Conclusions: The study is feasible, pertinent, affordable, and essential for the region, as it will optimize resource planning and improve healthcare for critically ill older adults.