Common health problems of old age -- dehydration, delirium, malnutrition or falls -- can become catastrophic if they occur following a major surgery, a new study reports.
Seniors who suffer these issues while recovering from surgery are more likely to die within a year, and will require more time in hospitals or nursing facilities, researchers reported Thursday in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.
"A geriatric syndrome can be a 'canary in the coal mine,' signaling a patient's underlying vulnerability," senior researcher Dr. Timothy Pawlik, a surgical oncologist at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, said in a news release.
"It's crucial we don't dismiss these events as just a normal part of 'getting older.' These are important warning signs that a patient needs closer monitoring and tailored support, both in the hospital and after discharge," Pawlik said.
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