The association of patient age with postoperative morbidity and mortality following resection of intracranial tumors

Abstract

IntroductionThe postoperative functional status of patients with intracranial tumors is influenced by patient-specific factors, including age. Research questionThis study aimed to elucidate the association between age and postoperative morbidity or mortality following the resection of brain tumors. Material and methodsA multicenter database was retrospectively reviewed. Functional status was assessed before and 3–6 months after tumor resection by the Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS). Uni- and multivariable linear regression were used to estimate the association of age with postoperative change in KPS. Logistic regression models for a ≥10-point decline in KPS or mortality were built for patients ≥75 years. ResultsThe total sample of 4864 patients had a mean age of 56.4 ​± ​14.4 years. The mean change in pre-to postoperative KPS was −1.43. For each 1-year increase in patient age, the adjusted change in postoperative KPS was −0.11 (95% CI -0.14 - - 0.07). In multivariable analysis, patients ≥75 years had an odds ratio of 1.51 to experience postoperative functional decline (95%CI 1.21–1.88) and an odds ratio of 2.04 to die (95%CI 1.33–3.13), compared to younger patients. DiscussionPatients with intracranial tumors treated surgically showed a minor decline in their postoperative functional status. Age was associated with this decline in function, but only to a small extent. ConclusionPatients ≥75 years were more likely to experience a clinically meaningful decline in function and about two times as likely to die within the first 6 months after surgery, compared to younger patients.