High-risk Procedure Outcomes Worsen for Patients With Alzheimer Disease Related Dementias

After comparing high-risk procedure outcomes in patients living with Alzheimer disease (AD) related dementias to those without AD-related dementias, researchers determined patients with dementia experienced postoperative complications, longer lengths of hospital stays, increased risks for 90-day mortality, and discharge to higher level of care.

Researchers conducted a restrospective cohort study of a large multi-hospital health system for all patients undergoing high-risk procedures from October 1, 2015, to September 30, 2017. In the 12 months prior to and 90 days following, included patients were continuously enrolled in Medicare Parts A or B.

Of 6779 patients included in the study, 536 (7.9%) had AD-related dementias and experienced higher risks for postoperative complications (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.23–1.81) and 90-day mortality (OR 1.44 [95% CI 1.09–1.91]).

Furthermore, only 37.3% of patients with AD-related dementias admitted from home were discharged home, and patients with AD-related dementias were more likely to be discharged to a higher level of care (OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.32–2.18).

“These data may be used by patients, their surrogates, and their physicians to help align surgical decision-making with health care goals,” concluded researchers.

Reference:
Shah SK, Adler RR, Xiang L, et al. Patients living with dementia have worse outcomes when undergoing high-risk procedures. J Am Geriatr Soc. Published online May 30, 2022. doi:10.1111/jgs.17893