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P4‐143: Dementia and mortality in elderly patients with low respiratory infections
Author(s) -
Rozzini Renzo,
Sleiman Intissar,
Barbisoni Piera,
Ranhoff Anette,
Maggi Stefania,
Trabucchi Marco
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.713
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1552-5279
pISSN - 1552-5260
DOI - 10.1016/j.jalz.2008.05.2209
Subject(s) - dementia , medicine , palliative care , intensive care unit , population , pediatrics , cognitive impairment , intensive care medicine , emergency medicine , cognition , psychiatry , disease , nursing , environmental health
Background: Low respiratory infections (LRI) are common in patients with dementia, and account for two thirds of deaths in this population. Prognosis, including long-term mortality, is important because lack of knowledge could foster underuse of palliative care services for those who would benefit and overuse of aggressive therapies for those who are unlikely to recover. Aim of the study is to investigate the association between LRI and three-month mortality in elderly patients with and without dementia. Methods: In a retrospective study 3300 newly admitted to our Sub-Intensive Care Unit, were selected and subdivided in 4 groups: 2566 patients without LRI and dementia, 265 with LRI and without dementia, 345 without LRI and with dementia, and 124 with LRI and dementia. Measurements were: age, gender, Barthel Index detected 2 weeks before admission and on admission, APACHE-II, Charlson Index, were assessed. Cognitive impairment was evaluated with MMSE and severe dementia as MMSE 12. LRI was diagnosed by clinical signs and chest radiography and treatment done according to the American Thoracic Society guidelines.