Body mass index as a predictor of 1 year mortality in geriatric patients.
OBJECTIVE
The predictive value of body mass and functional capacity for 1 year mortality was examined retrospectively in 552 consecutive geriatric patients categorized in 14 diagnosis groups.


METHODS
Data on body mass index (BMI, kg/m(2)) was retrievable from 337 subjects. In 532 patients, Katz indexes of activities of daily life (ADL, A-G; A=independent, G total dependence) were registered. The mean age (+/- SD) was 81 +/- 8 years, two-thirds were women and 75% lived alone. Mortality data was obtained from the Swedish population records.


RESULTS
Thirty-six per cent of the patients had BMI values < or =43% had BMI 21-25 and 21% > 25. Less than 2% were diagnosed as malnourished. The 1 year mortalities of those with BMI < or = 20, BMI 21-25 and BMI > 25 were 48%, 29% and 18% respectively (P< 0.001). Katz ADL index was significantly worse in those with BMI > 20 as compared with those having BMI < or = 20 (Katz D and C (P< 0.01) respectively). Patients with chronic obstructive lung disease displayed the lowest BMI values, i.e. 20 +/- 4. A logistic regression analysis indicated that BMI, gender and Katz ADL index, but not age, diagnosis or marital status, were independent predictors of 1 year mortality.


CONCLUSIONS
Depletion may still be an overlooked problem in geriatric patients, in whom low body mass index appears to be independently associated with imminent death.
Flodin
L
L
Department of Geriatric Medicine, Huddinge University Hospital, Sweden.
Svensson
S
S
Cederholm
T
T
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000401:mortality*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology