Evaluating The Factors Affecting Mortality and Survival of the Patients Who Underwent Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy; The Short-term and Long-term Results

Summary Aim Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is a common minimally invasive technique performed in patients with oral feeding problems. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the associated factors that have an impact on the short- and long-term survival and mortality in these patients who received PEG tube placement. Materials and Methods The patients who underwent PEG placement between June 2020 and June 2023 are enrolled in the study. Mortality data was extracted from the National Death Registry database. Data regarding the demographics, indications of PEG, co-morbidities, length of hospital stay prior to PEG procedure, the need for mechanical ventilator support, body-mass index, serum levels of hemoglobin, leukocyte, albumin, and c-reactive protein are extracted retrospectively. Kaplan Meier and Cox regression analyses were used to evaluate the factors affecting survival. Results A total of 137 patients are enrolled in the study (71 female and 66 male). One-month mortality was 16.7% and overall mortality during a follow-up of 38 months was 51%. Survival was significantly higher in patients with motor neuron diseases than the patients with Alzheimer’s (p=0.036). Length of hospital stay before PEG placement and hemoglobin levels were found to have a significant impact on survival in Cox regression analysis (p=0.000, p=0,009). Conclusion Length of hospital stay before PEGplacement, need for mechanical ventilator support and hemoglobin levels were found significantly associated with survival. Higher mortality in Alzheimer's patients may indicate that indications of PEG should be re-evaluated in these patients.