[Hospitalisation as a risk for functional decline in older adults]

FUNCTIONAL DECLINE: (FD) is a risk associated with hospital admission in older people, due to its high prevalence (35-70%) and its serious consequences.

To determine the incidence of FD in the elderly after hospital admission at the Geriatric and Internal Medicine wards of a tertiary teaching hospital (Albacete, Spain).

A cohort study has been designed, whose primary focus was FD, defined as the loss of independence to perform the activities of daily living between preadmission status and discharge. Demographic characteristics, comorbidity, length of hospital stay and cognitive status have been analysed. Data collection was performed by interviews with patients and caregivers during hospitalization and after discharge (by phone), as well as by revision of clinical records.

104 patients were evaluated, of which 51.9% were female; the average age was 79.97 years (dt=7.89) IC 95% [78.43, 81.5] and the average length of stay was 10.11 days (dt=7.65) IC 95% [8.62,11.6]. The proportion of patients who showed a normal cognitive status on the first in-hospital day was 41.4% (43 patients). FD was present in 60 (57.7%) patients in the first day of hospitalisation; when discharged, 32.6% of 92 patients who could be evaluated showed FD. 19% of patients who were previously independent in activities of daily living developed a serious dependence after discharge. FD was associated statistically with age and a history of previous falls.

FD takes place in a high percentage of the elderly patients. Among the previously independent patients, 19% remains in a situation of dependence after discharge.