Factors for Prolonged Hospital Stays in Patients Undergoing ERCP

Factors Associated With Prolonged Hospital Stay in Elderly Patients Undergoing Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography: A Prospective, Multicenter Cohort Study

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a crucial minimally invasive technique for the diagnosis and treatment of biliary and pancreatic diseases. However, it remains technically demanding and carries a postoperative adverse event (AE) rate exceeding 10% (e.g., pancreatitis, bleeding, and perforation), which subsequently leads to prolonged length of stay (LOS) and increased healthcare costs. With the rapid acceleration of population aging, the clinical demand for ERCP among the elderly has surged. Although ERCP is generally considered safe for older adults, advanced age also increases the risk of ERCP-related AEs and prolonged LOS. While previous studies investigated the outcomes of ERCP in elderly patients, those studies were predominantly retrospective, accompanied by selection bias. Moreover, insufficient factors were included in those retrospective studies. Importantly, some aging-related parameters, such as frailty, functional reserve, cognitive and psychological status, were not included in previous studies. Therefore, the investigators conducted a prospective, multicenter cohort study aimed at investigating outcomes in elderly patients undergoing ERCP and comprehensive factors (patient-related, procedure-related, and geriatric factors) associated with adverse outcomes.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patient age ≥ 65 years
2. Scheduled to undergo ERCP procedure

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Severe cognitive dysfunction
2. Severe hearing impairment
3. Known or suspected gastrointestinal perforation
4. Hemodynamic instability
5. Pregnant or lactating women
6. Unable to sign the informed consent form