Clinical significance of geriatric conditions in acute hospitalization

Geriatric conditions (GCs) are common in the elderly population, but their clinical significance in acute care is not well understood. In this study, we first investigated the cross-sectional associations of GCs with frailty and polypharmacy at the time of admission to an acute care geriatric ward. Then, to clarify the clinical significance of GCs in acute care, we prospectively examined the association of GCs with the incidence of hospital-acquired complications and consequences after discharge.

Participants were 184 patients (40.2% men: mean age 85.0 ± 6.0 years) hospitalized in an acute care geriatric ward at a university hospital. We examined the cross-sectional associations of GCs with frailty and polypharmacy by multiple regression analysis, and then the associations of GCs with the incidence of hospital-acquired complications, falls and death within 3 months of discharge by multiple logistic regression analysis.

GCs were associated with frailty and use of polypharmacy, independent of multiple morbidity. GCs were also associated with readmission within 3 months of discharge; however, there was no significant association with the incidence of hospital-acquired complications, falls, or mortality after discharge.

These findings suggest that GCs are clinically significant in the hospitalized elderly and further research on GCs is warranted. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2023; 23: 50-53.