CONTINUAL ASSESSMENT OF MORTALITY RISK FACTORS IN GERIATRIC PATIENTS HOSPITALIZED IN INTENSIVE CARE DUE TO PNEUMONIA

Introduction: The number of geriatric patients is quickly increasing. The present study has been performed to investigate the potential roles of laboratory test results on prognosis and mortality in elderly patients hospitalized in intensive care unit due to pneumonia. Materials and Method: Prospectively collected data of patients hospitalized in intensive care due to pneumonia were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Age and length of stay in intensive care were common mortality risk factors for geriatric and non-geriatric patients hospitalized in intensive care due to pneumonia. Moreover, anemia, hypoglycemia, hypoalbuminemia and increased levels of serum lactate dehydogenase were also in association with mortality in all patients (p<0.001). 'Average' values, calculated based on prospective data obtained from equal intervals of intensive care stay time, had stronger associations with mortality than the first and last test results. The association of length of stay in intensive care with mortality was more significant in geriatric patients rather than in non-geriatric adults. Additionally, correlations were stronger in geriatric patients with larger correlation ratios. Conclusion: Age, prolonged length of stay in intensive care, anemia, hypoglycemia, hypoalbuminemia and increased levels of LDH were mortality risk factors in geriatric patients hospitalized in intensive care due to pneumonia. 'Average' value was found to be more accurate for predicting mortality risk in geriatric patients whose mean length of stay in intensive care unit is longer than non-geriatrics.