[Prognostic factors of mortality in elderly patients in the emergency department]

Increasing attention has been given to the elderly patients in emergency departments. However, prevalence and predictive factors of mortality in geriatric patients in emergency rooms have not been stablished. This study was conducted to analyse predictive factors associated with mortality in patients aged more than 75 years-old.

Descriptive transversal study. Data from 1003 patients aged over 75 years were recorded: biographic data, past medical history, functional capacity, acute vs chronic diseases, discharge diagnosis, emergency room stay, mortality and their causes. Bivariant and multivariant (logistic regression) analysis were performed in an attempt to establish mortality associated factors. Prevalence odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals were estimated.

45 patients died (4.7% IC 95%: 3.2 a 5.7). In bivariant analysis age (p = 0.008), previous heart failure (p = 0.008) or renal failure (p = 0.05), functional disability (p < 0.001), mental disorders (p < 0.001), acute diseases (p = 0.01), and the following entities: politraumatism, sepsis, respiratory failure, pneumonia, ileus, acute abdomen, and coronary artery diseases, were associated with mortality. In multivariant analysis were detected as independent prognostic factors: circulatory disorders, coronary artery diseases, sepsis, respiratory failure, and functional disability.

Over 75 years-old patients mortality in emergency departments is more frequently associated with diagnosis of coronary heart disease, respiratory failure, sepsis and functional disability.