Evaluation of the quality of postoperative recovery and its predictors in the elderly undergoing surgery

Surgery is very sensitive in the elderly and more important than the surgery itself is the quality of its recovery, which is very important in determining its predictors in geriatric nursing. The aim of this study was to determine the quality of recovery after surgery and its predictors in the elderly undergoing surgery at Imam Hossein Hospital in Tehran in 1400.

The present study was a descriptive-analytical study in which the research community consisted of the elderly candidates for surgery at Imam Hossein Hospital in Tehran in the first half of 1400. 250 eligible elderly were included in the study through available sampling and for data collection, the elderly demographic information questionnaire and the 40-item QOR questionnaire were used. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 20 using descriptive and inferential statistical tests.

Most of the elderly participants were male, married, illiterate and with a mean age of 67.94±7.05 years. 88.4% had a history of previous hospitalization and 64.8% had a history of previous surgery. 72% had at least one underlying disease, the most common disease being diabetes (36%). The mean score of the total quality of recovery was 104.39 ±18.16 (Moderate). Among the dimensions, physical independence with a score of 2.84 was the highest and emotional status with a score of 2.29 and pain with a score of 2.61 received the lowest score of 5. Multiple linear regressions showed that age, number of surgeries, delirium, marital status, housing status, cohabitation status, education and type of surgery are the most important factors affecting the quality of postoperative recovery.

It is very important to pay attention to the quality of recovery after surgery, especially in the elderly. Maintaining and improving the status quo in the present study by focusing on the predictive factors obtained can be helpful.