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Predictors of 2‐Year Mortality Among Older Male Veterans on a Geriatric Rehabilitation Unit
Author(s) -
McMurtry Cynthia T.,
Rosenthal Amy
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1995.tb07012.x
Subject(s) - medicine , multivariate analysis , univariate analysis , rehabilitation , geriatric rehabilitation , geriatrics , gerontology , emergency medicine , physical therapy , psychiatry
OBJECTIVE: To determine if nutritional parameters and discharge setting are associated with mortality in older male veterans on a Geriatric rehabilitation unit (GRU). DESIGN: Two‐year follow‐up of sequential admissions to the GRU who had laboratory studies completed on admission to the acute hospital and on transfer to and discharge from the GRU. SETTING: University‐affiliated VA medical center. PATIENTS: Eighty‐three consecutive older male veterans admitted to the GRU. MEASUREMENT: Mortality during a period of 2 years post‐discharge. MAIN RESULTS: In a univariate analysis, predictors of mortality were serum albumin level ≤ 3.5g/dL on admission to the GRU ( P = .01), moderate or severe Nutritional Status Score ( P = .03), discharge to a place other than home ( P = .01), and use of antibiotics while on the GRU ( P = .05). Discharge albumin remained the single significant predictor of mortality in a multivariate analysis ( P = .005). CONCLUSIONS: Serum albumin is the strongest predictor of 2‐year post‐hospitalization mortality of older patients cared for on a GRU. Other predictors were presence of infection, Nutritional Status Score of moderate or severe compromise, and discharge to a place other than home.