Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 6, 2025
Assessment of Dependence in Activities of Daily Living Among Older Patients in an Acute Care Unit
Published on: September 30, 2020
Functional outcome after critical illness in older patients: a population-based study
Mania Hajeb1, Tarun D Singh1, Amra Sakusic2
1Departments of Neurology, Mayo Clinic , Rochester, MN, USA.
Insights
Approximately two-thirds of older intensive care unit (ICU) survivors regain good functional status one year after hospitalization. However, factors like older age, female sex, and longer ICU stays predict poor recovery and cognitive decline.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Critical Care Medicine
- Neurology
Background:
- Intensive Care Unit (ICU) survivors, particularly older adults, face risks of long-term disability and cognitive decline.
- Understanding factors influencing functional outcomes post-ICU is crucial for improving patient care and rehabilitation strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the one-year prevalence of disability among ICU survivors.
- To identify factors associated with functional outcomes and cognitive status after ICU admission in an older population.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of a population-based cohort from the Mayo Clinic Olmsted Study of Aging.
- Inclusion of consecutive adult patients admitted to medical or surgical ICUs between 2006 and 2014.
- Assessment of one-year functional outcomes and cognitive status post-ICU hospitalization.
Main Results:
- Of 831 ICU admissions, 68.5% survived one year. Among survivors, 67.2% achieved good functional outcome.
- Poor one-year functional outcome was linked to female sex, older age, baseline cognitive impairment, higher comorbidity scores, and longer ICU stays.
- Cognitive decline was observed in 32.3% of patients evaluated post-ICU.
Conclusions:
- Two-thirds of older ICU survivors maintained or regained good functional status one year after discharge.
- Older age, female sex, greater comorbidities, baseline cognitive deficits, and prolonged ICU stay predict poor functional recovery.
- Cognitive decline is a common complication following ICU admission in this elderly cohort.
Purpose:
To determine the prevalence of disability among ICU survivors one year after admission, and which factors influence functional outcome.
Methods:
We examined consecutive patients enrolled in the population-based Mayo Clinic Olmsted Study of Aging and then admitted to medical or surgical adult ICUs at Mayo Clinic, Rochester between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2014 to determine one-year functional outcomes.
Results:
831cases were included. Mean age was 84 years (IQR 79-88). 569 (68.5%) patients were alive one year after ICU admission. Of them, 546 patients had functional assessment at one year and 367 (67.2%) had good functional outcome. On multivariable analysis, poor one-year functional outcome (death or disability) was more common among women, older patients, and patients with baseline cognitive impairment (mild cognitive impairment or dementia), higher Carlson scores, and longer ICU stay (all P <.01). After excluding deceased patients, these associations remained unchanged. In addition, 120 (32.3%) of 372 patients who had post-ICU cognitive evaluation experienced cognitive decline after the ICU admission.
Conclusions:
On a population-based cohort of older, predominantly elderly patients, approximately two-thirds of survivors maintained or regained good functional status 1 year after ICU hospitalization. However, older age, female sex, greater comorbidities, abnormal baseline cognition, and longer ICU stay were associated with poor functional recovery and cognitive decline was common.
Related Concept Videos
01:11Guidelines for Writing Outcome
Patient outcomes reflect the patient's response to the goal rather than what the nurse aims to achieve. Terminology should be observable and measurable to avoid the reader's interpretation. The desired outcome should be realistic and achievable in the designated care timeframe. Expected outcomes should align with adjunctive therapies. The outcome should enhance care...
01:18Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Excretion
01:27Pharmacodynamics in Geriatric Patients: Effects of Age
01:15Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients
01:30Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment
01:00Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Distribution