Impact of Age on Perioperative Outcomes at Radical Prostatectomy: A Population-Based Study

Radical prostatectomy (RP) represents one standard of care for patients with localized prostate cancer and is associated with several established postoperative complications.

We tested the relationship between RP early postoperative outcomes and age within a population-based data repository.

Within the National Inpatient Sample database (2008-2013), we identified patients who underwent robotically assisted or open RP.

Multivariable logistic regression (MLR), multivariable Poisson regression (MPR), and linear regression models were used. Cubic spline graphically depicted the relationship between age and complications.

Overall, 68780 patients underwent RP with a median age of 62 yr (interquartile range: 57-67 yr). In MLR models, patient age represented an independent predictor of overall [odds ratio (OR): 1.02, p<0.001], intraoperative (OR: 1.03, p<0.001), cardiac (OR: 1.03, p<0.001), miscellaneous medical (OR: 1.02, p<0.001), miscellaneous surgical (OR: 1.01, p=0.01), pulmonary (OR: 1.02, p<0.001), and vascular complications (OR: 1.05, p<0.001); blood transfusions (OR: 1.02, p<0.001); and bowel obstruction (OR: 1.02, p<0.001). In MPR models, patient age was associated with longer stay (OR: 1.001, p=0.02). Similar results were recorded after adjustment for clustering in stratified analyses (<70 vs ≥70 yr) and in the subgroup of patients that underwent robotically assisted RP. For nine out of twelve examined outcomes, a virtually direct relationship existed with increasing age, in cubic spline analyses.

Virtually all early postoperative RP complications are directly related to age. In consequence, these observations should be considered from an individual patient perspective as well as from a health management perspective.

RP is provided through a wide patient age spectrum. Virtually all early postoperative RP complications are directly related to age. Individual patient's age needs to be considered in treatment decision-making.