Abstract
Background
Functional decline and frailty are common in older adults and influence the risk of
adverse outcomes. We aimed to assess the value of a Barthel index at the Emergency
Department (ED-BI) score in predicting 30-day mortality and ED reconsultation among
older patients with acute infection.
Methods
We performed a prospective multicentre cohort study of older patients (≥75 years)
diagnosed with acute infection in 69 Spanish EDs. Demographic, comorbidities, functional
status, clinical and analytical data were collected. Unadjusted and adjusted logistic
regression models were used to assess the association between ED-BI score, mortality
and ED reconsultation.
Results
In total 1596 patients with a mean age of 84.7 years were included in the study and
51.7% female. The most frequent focus of infection was respiratory in 918 patients
(57.5%). Patients with an ED-BI< 60 points were significantly older, predominantly
female, more likely institutionalized and more urinary infections. When comparing
patients with an ED-BI score ≥ 60 points with those< 60 points no differences were
found in ED reconsultation but in the latter group mortality at 30-days was higher
(p < 0.001).
Conclusion
An ED-BI score< 60 points appears to be a strong predictor of mortality at the 30-day
follow up in older patients with acute infection.
Data availability
The data used to support the findings of this study are included within the article.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: April 06, 2022
Accepted:
March 7,
2022
Received in revised form:
March 1,
2022
Received:
December 22,
2021
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 College of Emergency Nursing Australasia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
