Association between socioeconomic status and hospitalisation requirement in older patients attended at the emergency department: A retrospective cohort study

Abstract

Introduction and objective

A low socioeconomic status (SES) has been associated with poor health results. The present study aimed to investigate if SES of older patients attending the emergency department is associated with the use of healthcare resources and outcomes.

Patients and methods

Observational, retrospective study including consecutive patients 65 years or older admitted to the emergency department. Variables at baseline, index episode, and follow-up were recorded. SES was measured using an indirect theoretical index and patients were categorised into two groups according to whether they lived in a neighbourhood with a low or high SES. Primary outcomes included hospitalisation after the emergency department visit and prolonged hospitalisation (>7 days) at index episode. Secondary outcomes included emergency department re-consultant and hospital admission in the following 3 months after the index episode, and all-cause mortality after long-term follow-up. Logistic regression and cumulative hazards regression models were used to investigate associations between SES and outcomes.

Results

The cohort included 553 patients (80 years [73–85], 50.5% female, 55.9% with low SES). After the emergency department visit, 234 patients (42.3%) required hospital admission. A low SES was inversely associated with hospitalisation with an adjusted odds ratio = 0.654 (95% CI 0.441–0.970). Among hospitalised patients, a low SES was associated with prolonged hospitalisation (adjusted odds ratio = 2.739; 95% CI 1.470–5.104). Follow-up outcomes, including all-cause mortality, were not associated with SES.

Conclusions

Older patients living in more deprived urban areas were hospitalised less often after emergency department care, but hospital stays were longer. Understanding the effect of social determinants in healthcare use is mandatory to tailor resources to patient needs.