Major Surgery Boosts Death Risk for COPD Patients

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients who undergo major surgery are more prone to death risk in the year after surgery and incur higher health care costs. "Because patients with COPD are often frail and have many health problems, their management around the time of surgery should address not only COPD but all their health issues," says Dr. Ashwin Sankar, an anesthesiologist at St. Michael's Hospital, a site of Unity Health Toronto, and the University of Toronto.

Mortality in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

The study included 932 616 patients aged 35 years and older in Ontario who underwent major surgery, including total hip or knee replacement, gastrointestinal surgery, vascular surgery and other elective noncardiac surgeries. Of all patients, about 1 in 5 (170 482) had COPD. Patients with COPD were older, and more likely to be male, frail, have lower income and have pre-existing conditions such as coronary artery disease, diabetes and lung cancers.

These increased risks and costs were evident long after the immediate 30-day postoperative period.

"Patients with COPD typically have concurrent comorbidity, biopsychosocial issues and frailty," write the authors. "Our findings highlight the importance of careful risk prediction and decision-making for patients with COPD who are considering surgery."

They hope that their findings of increased health care costs will help with system-level planning by policy-makers and hospital administrators to better respond to the postsurgical needs of people with COPD.

Source-Eurekalert