Atypical Presentations of Acute Infections in Hospitalized Older Adults: The Prevalence, Predictors, and Outcomes

Abstract

Background Older adults are at increased risk of infection, which is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in this age group. [1] The increased infections related mortality in elderly is attributed to multiple factors, including: immunosenescence, medical comorbidities, undernutrition, functional decline, frailty, and increased adverse drug events [2] . Reaching a final disease-specific diagnosis, remains a clinical dilemma when managing older adults. According to Fried et al., less than half of the elderly patients fitted into the classical medical model where the presenting symptoms and signs can refer immediately to a certain disease. [3] In the aged, Infections often have atypical presentations which may complicate and delay diagnosis. The most frequently encountered atypical presentations of infections include delirium, anorexia, functional impairment, falls, fatigue, and new or worsening urinary incontinence. [4,5]