Prevalence of Preoperative Palliative Care Needs and Association with Healthcare Use and Cost among Older Adults Undergoing Major Elective Surgery.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Seriously ill older surgical patients with preoperative palliative care needs, such as those with pain, depression, functional dependence, and care partner needs, may benefit from palliative care, but their prevalence, characteristics, and outcomes have not been described.

Study design

We used data from the Health and Retirement Survey linked to Medicare claims and included older adults (age 66 years or older) with and without serious illness who underwent major elective surgery between 2007 and 2019. Exposures included serious illness and pain, depression, functional dependence, and care partner needs before operation. Outcomes were 1-year healthcare usage and cost (ie total hospital days, hospital readmission, emergency department visits, and Medicare cost).

SUBMITTER: Wong JSM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12904663 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature