Influence of Age on Critically Ill Patients with Cirrhosis

Summary Background The general prognosis of critically ill patients with cirrhosis is poor. We investigated the influence of age ( Methods This retrospective cohort study included 226 consecutive patients with liver cirrhosis who were admitted to the ICU. Clinical outcomes, including ICU mortality, in-hospital mortality, ventilator-free days, ICU days, ICU-free days, hospital days, and hospital-free days, were compared between the different age groups. Results The overall ICU mortality in patients aged p  = 0.009) and 6-month mortality (hazard ratio 2.34, confidence interval 1.16–4.70, p  = 0.017). Conclusion During ICU stays, old age does not have adverse effects on ICU mortality, ventilator-free days, ICU days, or ICU-free days in cirrhotic patients (either compensated or decompensated cirrhosis). After ICU discharge, age ≥ 75 years is an independent prognostic factor for in-hospital mortality and 6-month mortality in patients with decompensated cirrhosis.