Intussusception Risk Factors and Outcomes in Adult and Elderly Patients: Elderly Females are 70% Less Likely to Die Compared to their Male Counterpart Following Corrective Operation

Purpose Intussusception in adult and elderly patients is rare but potentially life-threatening, requiring high clinical suspicion for prompt diagnosis and management. This study aims to identify risk factors in these patients to improve management protocols and enhance clinician awareness. Methods We analyzed adult and elderly patients with intussusception (2005–2014) using the National Inpatient Sample, which provided data on demographics, comorbidities, outcomes, and operative management. Logistic regressions assessed the relationships between mortality and patient characteristics. Results Among 4,432 patients, 82.3% were adults (57.1% females), and 17.7% were elderly (64.1% females). The elderly mortality rate was 2.8% versus 0.1% in adults. In non-operatively managed elderly patients, longer hospital length of stays (HLOS) and older age increased mortality odds by 5.7% (P = 0.120) and 24.8% (P = 0.080). Operatively managed elderly patients with higher frailty scores had 34.0% greater mortality odds (P = 0.160), while female sex reduced odds by 69.8%. In operatively managed adults, each day of delayed surgery raised mortality odds by 26.7%, and each additional year of age increased odds by 21.0% (P = 0.053). Conclusion Among operatively managed adult patients, prolonged hospital length of stay and advanced age is associated with increased mortality risk. Amongst surgically managed elderly patients, frailty is associated with elevated mortality risk while female sex is associated with reduced mortality risk. Lastly, non-operatively managed elderly patients with prolonged hospital length of stay and advanced age displayed increased mortality risk. These findings can help illuminate common risk factors and facilitate timely recognition and management of intussusception in adult and elderly patients.