BACKGROUND: Increasing numbers of people will die with dementia, many in the acute hospital. It is often not perceived to be a life-limiting illness. AIMS: To investigate the prevalence of dementia in older people undergoing emergency medical admission and its effect on outcomes. METHOD: Longitudinal cohort study of 617 people (aged over 70). The main outcome was mortality risk during admission. RESULTS: Of the cohort, 42.4% had dementia (only half diagnosed prior to admission). In men aged 70-79, dementia prevalence was 16.4%, rising to 48.8% of those over 90. In women, 29.6% aged 70-79 had dementia, rising to 75.0% aged over 90. Urinary tract infection or pneumonia was the principal cause of admission in 41.3% of the people with dementia. These individuals had markedly higher mortality; 24.0% of those with severe cognitive impairment died during admission (adjusted mortality risk 4.02, 95% CI 2.24-7.36). CONCLUSIONS: The rising prevalence of dementia will have an impact on acute hospitals. Extra resources will be required for intermediate and palliative care and mental health liaison services.
BACKGROUND: Increasing numbers of people will die with dementia, many in the acute hospital. It is often not perceived to be a life-limiting illness. AIMS: To investigate the prevalence of dementia in older people undergoing emergency medical admission and its effect on outcomes. METHOD: Longitudinal cohort study of 617 people (aged over 70). The main outcome was mortality risk during admission. RESULTS: Of the cohort, 42.4% had dementia (only half diagnosed prior to admission). In men aged 70-79, dementia prevalence was 16.4%, rising to 48.8% of those over 90. In women, 29.6% aged 70-79 had dementia, rising to 75.0% aged over 90. Urinary tract infection or pneumonia was the principal cause of admission in 41.3% of the people with dementia. These individuals had markedly higher mortality; 24.0% of those with severe cognitive impairment died during admission (adjusted mortality risk 4.02, 95% CI 2.24-7.36). CONCLUSIONS: The rising prevalence of dementia will have an impact on acute hospitals. Extra resources will be required for intermediate and palliative care and mental health liaison services.
Authors: Jennifer Tjia; Sarah L Cutrona; Daniel Peterson; George Reed; Susan E Andrade; Susan L Mitchell Journal: J Am Geriatr Soc Date: 2014-11-04 Impact factor: 5.562
Authors: Alessandro Morandi; Elena Lucchi; Renato Turco; Sara Morghen; Fabio Guerini; Rossana Santi; Simona Gentile; David Meagher; Philippe Voyer; Donna Fick; Eva M Schmitt; Sharon K Inouye; Marco Trabucchi; Giuseppe Bellelli Journal: J Psychosom Res Date: 2015-08-08 Impact factor: 3.006
Authors: Alessandro Morandi; Elena Lucchi; Renato Turco; Sara Morghen; Fabio Guerini; Rossana Santi; Simona Gentile; David Meagher; Philippe Voyer; Donna M Fick; Eva M Schmitt; Sharon K Inouye; Marco Trabucchi; Giuseppe Bellelli Journal: J Psychosom Res Date: 2015-08-09 Impact factor: 3.006