Gender Differences in Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation Patients - A Retrospective Observational Study.

Area of Science:

• Critical Care Medicine
• Pulmonology
• Geriatrics

Background:

• Gender differences in prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) outcomes are not well understood.
• Investigated effects of gender on age, causes of respiratory failure, discharge, weaning, mortality, and long-term survival in PMV patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if gender influences outcomes in patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation.
• To compare survival rates based on gender, particularly in very old patients (≥80 years).

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study of 574 patients requiring PMV over six years.
• Comparison of survival curves based on gender for all patients and for very old patients (≥80 years).

Main Results:

• No significant gender differences in weaning success, ventilator dependence, or in-hospital mortality.
• Among 296 patients with long-term follow-up, overall mortality rates and 5-year survival were similar between males and females.
• Very old female patients (≥80 years) had a statistically significant lower 6-month mortality rate and better 5-year survival compared to very old male patients.

Conclusions:

• Gender does not affect weaning, mortality, or survival in most patients on prolonged mechanical ventilation.
• Very old women (≥80 years) requiring PMV have a significantly lower mortality risk and better long-term survival compared to very old men.