The ability of frailty to predict outcomes in older people attending an acute medical unit

Acute Med. 2013;12(2):74-6.

Abstract

Background: This study assessed the role of frailty assessment in the AMU.

Methods: Patients were assessed for frailty and their outcomes ascertained at 90 days.

Results: The Canadian Study on Health and Aging Clinical Frailty Scale categorised 29% of patients as moderately-severely frail. Frailty did not differentially identify those likely to be discharged within one day, nor with long stays. Mortality at 90 days was 32%; frailty was associated with the risk of dying, odds ratio 1.4. 21% of patients were readmitted at 30 days, and 33% at 90 days, but frailty was not predictive.

Discussion: Moderate-severe frailty in people aged 70+ was common and was predictive of higher mortality, but did not appear to predict admission, length of stay or readmission.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Area Under Curve
  • Emergency Service, Hospital / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Frail Elderly / statistics & numerical data*
  • Geriatric Assessment / methods*
  • Geriatric Assessment / statistics & numerical data
  • Hospital Mortality
  • Hospitalization / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Length of Stay / statistics & numerical data
  • Male
  • Odds Ratio
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care / methods*
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care / statistics & numerical data*
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Survival Analysis
  • United Kingdom