Effect of the Age-Adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index on All-Cause Mortality and Readmission in Older Surgical Patients: A National Multicenter, Prospective Cohort Study

Approaches to characterising multimorbidity in older people accessing hospital care: a scoping review

PURPOSE

An increasing proportion of older adults accessing hospital care are living with multimorbidity, with a high degree of complexity of multimorbidity in older hospital populations expected. We aimed to assess approaches taken to characterise multimorbidity in older adults accessing hospital care, including how complexity is considered.

METHODS

Following established scoping review guidelines, all published studies that characterised multimorbidity in a hospital population, with average age ≥ 65 years, were identified via a prespecified search strategy. Six electronic databases were searched to identify peer-reviewed literature published to September 2023 meeting eligibility criteria. Screening was undertaken by two independent reviewers, and data extracted using a standard proforma.

RESULTS

Of 5305 titles and abstracts screened, 75 papers, reporting on 72 unique study populations across 24 countries, met inclusion criteria. There was heterogeneity in most aspects of characterisation. Multimorbidity was defined in 43% (n = 31/72) of studies; most (n = 59/72, 82%) aimed to describe a multimorbidity-outcome association. Number of conditions considered ranged from 2 to 285 and weighted indices were used as a measure of multimorbidity in 75% (n = 54/72) of studies, with 56% (n = 40/72) using a version of the Charlson Comorbidity Index. Complexity was explicitly studied in 17% (n = 12/72) of studies.

DISCUSSION

Our review highlights heterogeneity in characterisation of multimorbidity in older adults accessing hospital care, with limited consideration of complexity. As the proportion of older adults accessing hospital care who are living with multimorbidity increases, better characterisation of their multiple conditions and associated complexity is a priority to ensure delivery of appropriately tailored care.

A frailty census of older adults in the emergency department and acute inpatient settings of a model 4 hospital in the Mid-West of Ireland

BACKGROUND

Frailty is a risk factor for presentation to the ED, in-hospital mortality, prolonged hospital stays and functional decline at discharge. Profiling the prevalence and level of frailty within the acute hospital setting is vital to ensure evidence-based practice and service development within the construct of frailty. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to establish the prevalence of frailty and co-morbidities among older adults in an acute hospital setting.

METHODS

Data collection was undertaken by clinical research nurses and advanced nurse practitioners experienced in assessing older adults. All patients aged ≥ 65 years and admitted to a medical or surgical inpatient setting between 08:00 and 20:00 and who attended the ED over a 24-h period were screened using validated frailty and co-morbidity scales. Age and gender demographics, Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), Charlson Co-morbidity Index (CCI) and admitting specialty (medical/surgical) were collected. Descriptive statistics were used to profile the cohort, and p values were calculated to ascertain the significance of results.

RESULTS

Within a sample of 413 inpatients, 291 (70%) were ≥ 65 years and therefore were included in the study. 202 of these 291 older adults (70%) were ≥ 75 years. Frailty was investigated using validated clinical cut-offs on the CFS (not frail < 5; frail ≥ 5). Comorbidities were investigated using the Charlson Comorbidity Index (mild 1-2; moderate 3-4; severe ≥ 5). The median CFS was 6 indicating moderate frailty levels, and the median CCI score was 3 denoting moderate co-morbidity. In the inpatient cohort, 245 (84%) screened positive for frailty, while 223 (75%) had moderate-severe co-morbidity (CCI Mod 3-4, severe ≥ 5). No significant differences were observed across genders for CFS and CCI. In the ED, 81 patients who attended the ED were ≥ 65 years. The median CFS was 6 (moderate frailty), and the median CCI was 5 (severe co-morbidity level). Seventy-four percent (60) of participants screened positively for frailty (CFS ≥ 5), and 31% (25) had a CFS of 7 or greater (severely frail). Ninety-six percent (78) of patients had a moderate-severe level of comorbidity. No significant associations were found between the CFS and CCI and ED participants age, gender, and medical/surgical speciality usage.

CONCLUSION

There is a high prevalence of frailty and co-morbidity among older adults who present to the ED and require inpatient care. This may contribute to increased waiting times, lengths of stay, and the need for specialist intervention. With an increased focus on the integration of care for older adults across care transitions, there is a clear need for expansion of frailty-based services, staff training in frailty care and multidisciplinary team resources across the hospital and community setting.

Characteristics and Prognosis of Type 2 Myocardial Infarction Through Worsening Renal Function and NT-proBNP in Older Adults with Pneumonia

Background

Type 2 myocardial infarction (MI) is becoming more recognized. This study aimed to assess the factors linked to type 2 MI in older adults with pneumonia and further determine the predictive factors of 90-day adverse events (refractory heart failure, cardiogenic shock, and all-cause mortality).

Methods

A single-center retrospective analysis was conducted among older adults with pneumonia. The primary outcome was the prevalence of type 2 MI. The secondary objective was to assess the adverse events in these patients with type 2 MI within 90 days.

Results

A total of 2618 patients were included. Of these, 361 patients (13.8%) suffered from type 2 MI. Multivariable predictors of type 2 MI were chronic kidney disease (CKD), age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (ACCI) score, and NT-proBNP > 4165pg/mL. Moreover, the independent predictive factors of 90-day adverse events included NT-proBNP > 4165pg/mL, age, ACCI score, and CKD. The Kaplan-Meier adverse events curves revealed that the type 2 MI patients with CKD and NT-proBNP > 4165pg/mL had a higher risk than CKD or NT-proBNP > 4165pg/mL alone.

Conclusion

Type 2 MI in older pneumonia hospitalization represents a heterogeneous population. Elevated NT-proBNP level and prevalence of CKD are important predictors of type 2 MI and 90-day adverse events in type 2 MI patients.

Geriatric distal femoral fractures: post-operative complications and nine-year mortality-a retrospective analysis of two tertiary trauma centres

PURPOSE

This study aimed to estimate the mortality at various post-operative intervals and explore influential variables for these outcomes in elderly patients with distal femur fractures (DFF).

METHODS

A retrospective observational study was conducted across two tertiary care institutions, between 2014 and 2020. The primary outcomes were mortality rates at 30-day, six month, and one year post-surgery. Secondary outcomes included 1-year readmission and reintervention rates along with their correlated complications.

RESULTS

A total of 37 DFF in 35 patients was analyzed; average age was 83.6 years (range, 65-98 years). The overall mortality rate at a maximum follow-up of 8.8 years was 74% (26/35 patients). The median survival time was 3.2 years and the survival probability at five years was 27% (95% confidence interval [CI], 13 to 43%). Mortality rates at 30 days, six months, and one year after surgery were 8.6% (3 patients), 23% (8 patients), and 34% (12 patients), respectively. Overall mortality rate was 64% (15/24 patients) for native distal femur fractures, and 92% (13/14 patients) for periprosthetic fractures (p = 0.109). Patients older than 85 years and male gender were identified as risk factors for mortality within the first year post-operatively.

CONCLUSION

Elderly fractures have a high mortality at eight years of follow-up. Mortality at one year was much higher than in other studies of the same nature. We did not find statistically significant differences when comparing native bone fractures with periprosthetic fractures. Factors that impact mortality were being a man, advanced age, elevated index comorbidity, and dementia. There is no relationship between the time to be taken to the surgical procedure and mortality results.

Optimal postoperative delirium prediction after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery: a prospective cohort study

Background

Postoperative delirium (POD) presents as a serious neuropsychiatric syndrome in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG) surgery. This is correlated with higher mortality, cognitive decline, and increased costs. The Age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index (ACCI) is recognized as an independent predictor for mortality and survival rate. The purpose of our study is to estimate the predictive value of the ACCI on the POD in patients undergoing OPCABG surgery.

Methods

This prospective cohort study enrolled patients undergoing OPCABG surgery between December 2020 and May 2021 in Qilu Hospital. Patients were divided into the low-ACCI group (score, 0-3) and the high-ACCI group (score ≥4) according to their ACCI scores. The Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit (CAM-ICU) and CAM were used to diagnose POD within 7 days after surgery. The general, laboratory, and clinical data of the patients were recorded and collected. The characteristic ROC curve was applied to further assess the predictive value of the ACCI for POD in patients following OPCABG surgery.

Results

A total of 89 patients were enrolled, including 45 patients in the low-ACCI group and 44 patients in the high-ACCI group. The incidence of POD was higher in the high-ACCI group than in the low-ACCI group (45.5% vs. 15.6%, P = 0.003). Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that the ACCI (OR, 2.433; 95% CI, 1.468-4.032; P = 0.001) was an independent risk factor for POD. The ACCI accurately predicted POD in patients following OPCABG surgery with an AUC of 0.738, and the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit test yielded X2 = 5.391 (P = 0.145).

Conclusion

The high-ACCI group showed a high incidence of POD. The ACCI was an independent factor associated with POD in patients following OPCABG surgery. In addition, the ACCI could accurately predict POD in patients following OPCABG surgery.

Clinical Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier CHiCTR2100052811.

Is a guideline required to predict the intensive care unit need of patients over 65 years of age during the pre-operative period? A comparison of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, lung ultrasound score, Charlson age-added comorbidity index, surgi

BACKGROUND

All pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative variables of the patients at 65 years of age who had a surgi-cal procedure determine the necessity of post-operative intensive care unit (ICU) monitoring. The indication for post-operative ICU is detected through ideal scoring systems related to the surgery and anesthesia that will be performed easily and fast would prevent the development of morbidity and mortality in high-risk patients. In the present study, we compared the efficacy of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, lung ultrasound score (LUSS), Charlson age-added comorbidity index (CACI), and surgical outcome risk tool (SORT) score of the indication for ICU. The hypothesis of our study is to show that real visual LUSS is superior to the screening test SORT, CACI, and the other score, ASA, for ICU indication determination.

METHODS

The study enrolled 101 patients over 65 years of age who will have surgical procedures under elective conditions. De-mographic features, clinical parameters, ICU indications, ASA, LUSS, CACI, and SORTs of the patients were calculated prospectively and recorded. The effects of patients' ASA, LUSS, CACI, and SORT on determining the need for postoperative ICU admission were examined.

RESULTS

The age of patients who needed post-operative ICU admission was significantly higher than those who did not need post-operative ICU admission (P<0.001). The groups did not show differences in terms of gender, body mass index, smoking, and type of anesthesia (P>0.05). ASA, LUSS, CACI, and SORT were significantly higher for patients who needed post-operative ICU admission (P<0.001). The proportion of patients who needed post-operative ICU admission was higher for patients with post-operative ICU indication (P<0.001). The number of consultations was significantly higher for patients who needed post-operative ICU admission (P<0.001). SORT was found to be the highest accuracy for predicting the need for post-operative ICU admission.

CONCLUSION

It was detected that ASA, LUSS, CACI, and SORT are effective for the determination of the ICU indication in the pre-operative evaluation process of patients over the age of 65 who had elective surgery. However, the efficiency of SORT was found to be superior to the others.

Prediction of Outcomes Through Cystatin C and cTnI in Elderly Type 2 Myocardial Infarction Patients

Background

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and coronary artery disease (CAD) are strongly associated. Cystatin C (Cys C) is a more sensitive marker of early renal insufficiency. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic implications of combined of Cys C and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) on 90-day outcomes in elderly patients with type 2 myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods

The data of consecutive type 2 MI patients aged 80 years and older who received Cys C and cTnI measurements within 24 h of admission were retrospectively reviewed. The endpoint was a 90-day all-cause and cardiac mortality.

Results

A total of 4326 patients were included. During the 90-day follow-up period, a higher all-cause and cardiac mortality was observed in patients with Cys C ≥ 1.49mg/L than in patients with Cys C < 1.49 mg/L (P <0.001). After the multivariate logistic regression adjustments, the higher CysC and cTnI levels remained independent predictors of the 90-day all-cause mortality and cardiac mortality. Moreover, the Kaplan-Meier all-cause and cardiac mortality event-free survival curves showed that the patients with the presence of elevated levels of both Cys C and cTnI had a significantly increased risk than those with Cys C or cTnI alone.

Conclusion

Elevated Cys C level is an independent risk factor for all-cause and cardiac mortality in the elderly type 2 MI population. The predictive ability of the combined use of Cys C and cTnI in elderly type 2 MI patients is stronger than that of Cys C or cTnI alone.

Characteristics of preoperative atrial fibrillation in geriatric patients with hip fracture and construction of a clinical prediction model: a retrospective cohort study

INTRODUCTION

Atrial fibrillation is the most common atrial arrhythmia in the perioperative period and is associated with prolonged hospital stay, increased costs, and increased mortality. However, there are few data on the predictors and incidence of preoperative atrial fibrillation in hip fracture patients. Our aim was to identify predictors of preoperative atrial fibrillation and to propose a valid clinical prediction model.

METHODS

Predictor variables included demographic and clinical variables. LASSO regression analyzes were performed to identify predictors of preoperative atrial fibrillation, and models were constructed and presented as nomograms. Area under the curve, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to examine the discriminative power, calibration, and clinical efficacy of the predictive models. Bootstrapping was used for validation.

RESULTS

A total of 1415 elderly patients with hip fractures were analyzed. Overall, 7.1% of patients had preoperative atrial fibrillation, and they were at significant risk for thromboembolic events. Patients with preoperative AF had a significantly longer delay in surgery than those without preoperative atrial fibrillation (p < 0.05). Predictors for preoperative atrial fibrillation were hypertension (OR 1.784, 95% CI 1.136-2.802, p < 0.05), C-reactive protein at admission (OR 1.329, 95% CI 1.048-1.662, p < 0.05), systemic inflammatory response index at admission (OR 2.137, 95% CI, 1.678-2.721 p < 0.05), Age-Adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index (OR 1.542, 95% CI 1.326-1.794, p < 0.05), low potassium(OR 2.538, 95% CI 1.623-3.968, p < 0.05), anemia(OR 1.542, 95% CI 1.326-1.794, p < 0.05). Good discrimination and calibration effect of the model was showed. Interval validation could still achieve the C-index value of 0.799. DCA demonstrated this nomogram has good clinical utility.

CONCLUSION

This model has a good predictive effect on preoperative atrial fibrillation in elderly patients with hip fractures, which can help to better plan clinical evaluation.