Sensitivity of the unruptured intracranial aneurysm treatment score (UIATS) in the elderly: retrospective analysis of ruptured aneurysms.

Background/Purpose The prevalence of intracranial aneurysms, as well as the incidence of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), increase with age, and the elderly have poor outcomes after SAH. Age is a key factor in the unruptured intracranial aneurysm treatment score (UIATS),but the sensitivity of the UIATS model in detecting risk of SAH among the elderly is unknown. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 153 consecutive cases of ruptured aneurysms between 2012 and 2018. We used Fisher's exact test, analysis of variance, and multivariate logistic regression to compare outcomes between those >65 years of age and those younger. We then applied the UIATS model and evaluated the sensitivity of the model as a predictor of SAH in the elderly compared with younger patients. Results Elderly patients made up 32% (n = 49 of 153) of our cohort. They had significantly higher in-hospital mortality (19 of 49, 39%) than younger patients (14 of 104, 13%) (P 65 years remained a significant predictor of unfavorable outcome at discharge (P = 0.03). The UIATS model had low sensitivity in the elderly compared with younger patients: 63% (59 of 136) of younger patients would have been recommended aneurysm repair had their aneurysm been detected unruptured, compared with only 12% (5 of 42) of elderly patients >65 years (P Conclusions Elderly patients >65 years in age have far worse outcomes after SAH. The sensitivity of the UIATS model for detecting those at risk of SAH was significantly lower in elderly patients. The UIATS model may lead to undertreatment of elderly patients at risk of SAH.