Research Information System
Turkish Journal Of Geriatrics-Türk Geriatri Dergisi, vol.23, no.4, pp.516-523, 2021 (SCI-Expanded)
Objectives: The definition of chronic critical illness in the elderly has not yet
been determined. The aim of the study is to determine the prevalence and clinical
features of chronic critical illness in the elderly population in Turkey.
Materials and Methods: Data from 16 intensive care units of public and private
hospitals in Turkey were evaluated. Patients staying in the intensive care units for at
least eight days between 2015 and 2017 and having at least one of the additional
criteria were accepted as chronic critical illness and they were divided into two
groups by age, those 65 and older and those under 65.
Results: The chronic critical illness patient rate in the intensive care units was
10.7%. Of chronic critical illness patients in the intensive care units, 60.9% were 65
years of age and older, and the mortality rate of patients 65 years and older was
70%. The frequencies of ischemic stroke and sepsis, the number of patients with
comorbidities, and the mortality rate were higher in patients over 65 years of
age, while the frequency of traumatic brain injury, presence of a major wound,
tracheostomy, length of hospital stay and cost of care were higher in patients under
65 years of age.
Conclusion: We determined that prolonged mechanical ventilation, traumatic
brain injury, tracheostomy and major wound presence in intensive care units
patients 65 years and older increased hospital stay and costs. More work is needed
to define chronic critical illness more clearly in elderly