Einstein (São Paulo) (Sep 2009)
The impact of functional status on mortality of elderly patients admitted to a General Hospital
Abstract
Objective: To identify possible associations between functional capacity and hospital mortality and to analyze determining factors that affect functional capacity of the elderly during hospitalization. Methods: Forty-nine patients, aged 60 to 96 years, were interviewed during admission using structured questionnaires. The χ2 and Fisher’s tests were used. Rresults: Four percent of these patients died during hospitalization, and all individuals had at least one functional impairment. Age ≥ 80 years old and presence of 4 or more diagnoses on admission were associated with hospital mortality. The determining factors for impaired functional capacity were age ≥ 70 years old and history of falls. Cconclusions: There was no association between functional capacity and mortality. Nevertheless, older individuals with history of falls had greater functional impairment and were more fragile.
