[Preserving of independence: effectiveness of multi-dimensional geriatric assessment]

Comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) is defined as the process of determining an elderly person's medical, psychosocial, functional, and environmental resources and problems, linked with an overall plan for treatment and follow-up. The principles of geriatric assessment, including the advantages and disadvantages of using quantitative instruments for multi-dimensional evaluation, are reviewed. The findings of a recently published meta-analysis on comprehensive geriatric assessment are discussed and its policy implications addressed. The meta-analysis includes data of 28 controlled trials comprising 4959 subjects allocated to one of five CGA types, and 4912 control subjects. Original investigators provided additional unpublished data from published reports to supplement the data base of this meta-analysis. The combined odds ratios of outcomes in CGA-assessed patients versus control patients were obtained by pooling data from individual trials with a multivariate logistic regression approach. The combined odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of home survival at 1 to 4-year follow-up was 1.7 (1.2-2.3) for inpatient geriatric evaluation and management units, 1.5 (1.1-2.0) for post-discharge home assessment services, and 1.2 (1.1-1.4) for preventive in-home assessment services. Based on these research findings, the establishment of interdisciplinary units with staff trained in multidimensional geriatric assessment for inpatient evaluation and management of frail elderly patients, is recommended. In addition, research to improve geriatric assessment technology and promote its integration into primary care has a great potential for disability prevention and nursing home use reduction in older persons.