Study objective: To determine how risk factors could be combined to best predict the development of a postoperative pulmonary complication (PPC) following abdominal surgery.
Design: Prospective model-building study. Logistic regression models were developed using significant risk factors identified in the univariate analysis.
Setting: Four midwestern hospitals.
Patients: Convenience sample of 400 patients who underwent abdominal surgical procedures between January 1993 and August 1995.
Measurements and results: Multicriteria outcome for postoperative pulmonary complication used to collectively assess atelectasis and pneumonia. Twenty-three risk factors were assessed. Six risk factors were identified as independent by logistic regression: age > or = 60 years (adjusted odds ratio [Adj OR], 1.89); impaired preoperative cognitive function (Adj OR, 5.93); smoking history within the past 8 weeks (Adj OR, 2.27); body mass index > or = 27 (Adj OR, 2.82); history of cancer (Adj OR, 2.23); and incision site-upper abdominal or both upper/lower abdominal incision (Adj OR 2.30).
Conclusions: These results provide a framework for identifying patients at risk of developing a PPC following abdominal surgery. A reliable and valid risk index could be used clinically to guide preoperative and postoperative pulmonary care and target limited resources for patients at risk.