====== Risk Factor ======

In [[epidemiology]], a [[risk]] factor is a variable associated with an increased risk of [[disease]] or [[infection]]. Sometimes, determinant is also used, being a variable associated with either increased or decreased risk.

A [[history]] and [[physical examination]], focusing on [[risk factor]]s for cardiac, pulmonary and infectious [[complication]]s, and a determination of a patient's [[functional]] capacity, are essential to any [[preoperative evaluation]].

====Examples====

[[Vascular risk factor]]s

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Newborn infants with [[risk factor]]s for the development of [[hydrocephalus]] or [[germinal matrix hemorrhage]].

[[Tobacco smoking]]

[[Hypertension]]...

see [[Risk assessment]]

Duration of surgery together with [[comorbidity]] and acquired neurological deficits is an independent risk factor for extracranial complications after brain tumor surgery. Duration of surgery is also associated with surgical site infections. Knowledge about the potential harm of slow surgery should be of interest to neurosurgeons when deciding on various surgical approaches, surgical tools or providing training. Also if acquiring ethical approval or informed consent in technical research projects, the risks associated with prolonging brain surgery should be considered. Special consideration should be warranted in patients with significant comorbidity, planned long surgery and higher risk of acquiring neurological deficits after surgery
((Golebiowski A, Drewes C, Gulati S, Jakola AS, Solheim O. Is duration of
surgery a risk factor for extracranial complications and surgical site infections
after intracranial tumor operations? Acta Neurochir (Wien). 2015
Feb;157(2):235-40. doi: 10.1007/s00701-014-2286-3. Epub 2014 Dec 2. PubMed PMID: 
25435394.
)).

===== Social risk factors =====
[[Social risk factor]]s