Geriatrics in the Intensive Care Unit

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.