Predictors of mortality and survival patterns among patients with obstructive jaundice in a Nigerian tertiary hospital

Abstract

Context: Obstructive jaundice particularly when caused by malignancy, remains a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to assess survival rates and predictors of mortality in patients with obstructive jaundice.

Materials and Methods: The medical records of patients managed with obstructive jaundice at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital were retrospectively reviewed from January 2019 to December 2023. Data were collected using a predesigned proforma and analysed with Kaplan-Meier statistics and Cox regression models.

Results: The median age of patients was 55 years (IQR: 47-68), with a majority being female (40, 58.0%). Patients with malignant obstructive jaundice had significantly lower survival rates (log-rank p = 0.03). Among those with pancreatic head cancers, 75% of deaths (n=12) occurred within 48 days of hospital admission. Multivariate Cox regression showed that duration of postoperative hospital stay was significantly associated with mortality (p=0.008).

Conclusion: Prolonged postoperative hospitalisation is associated with increased mortality in patients with malignant obstructive jaundice. Addressing factors that contribute to longer hospital stays could potentially improve the survival outcomes.