Differences in the Health Status of Older Adults in Community and Hospital Cohorts

Older adults frequently utilize healthcare services across diverse medical settings to maintain continuity of care. However, data from the hospital records of older adults is often not linked to their health status in community settings, preventing a full understanding of their healthcare needs.

This study aimed to compare the multidimensional health status (i.e., self-rated health, depression, physical function/activity, mobility, nutrition, lifestyle factors, blood laboratory, and diseases) of older adults between community and hospital cohorts. The goal was to identify the potential health problems of older adults and establish a preventive care system. Secondary analysis was conducted using data obtained from the Korean Urban Rural Elderly study for the community cohort and outpatient patients from a single tertiary hospital for the hospital cohort.

Using age- and sex-matched propensity score matching, 550 older adults were selected equally from the two cohorts. Logistic regression was performed to predict the health status of the two groups. The health status of the community and hospital cohorts differed in several health domains. The hospital cohort group had more risk of depression, impairment in instrumental activities of daily living, and malnutrition. The hospital cohort group had lower alcohol intake and albumin, and higher glucose levels. The hospital group also had a higher prevalence of stroke and depression.

The findings of this study highlight the need to provide multidimensional healthcare services that consider the deterioration of multiple health conditions in older adults.