Short-term mortality and associated factors among older hospitalized patients: A narrative retrospective analysis of end-of-life care in an acute geriatric unit

Objectives

To explore short-term mortality and its predictors among older patients hospitalized in a acute geriatric ward (AGW) in Northwestern Italy.

Design

Retrospective observational single-center cohort study.

Material and methods

Patients consecutively admitted for any reason between June 2021 and May 2022 were included in the analysis. Along with sociodemographic, clinical, and functional variables, prognosis estimation (Palliative Prognostic Index; PPI) at the time of admission was registered. Short-term all-cause mortality (in-hospital and within 3 months of discharge) was the primary outcome.

Results

About one-third of the total sample died in the short-term (32.4 %). Along with PPI score (OR 1.115, 95 %CI 1.034–1.202), short-term mortality was independently associated with functional dependency (OR 1.278, 95 %CI 1.170–1.395).

Conclusions

The high short-term mortality in our sample should call for the inclusion of palliative prognostic tools within the in-hospital comprehensive geriatric assessment to better recognize and appropriately manage older patients at the end of life.