Outcome of West Nile fever in older adults.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of clinical presentation and cognitive changes on the postdischarge outcome in older adult patients with West Nile fever (WNF).


METHODS
Retrospective, cohort analysis.


METHODS
Meir Hospital located in the center of Israel in the Sharon region.


METHODS
Thirty-two patients aged 65 and older hospitalized during a WNF outbreak.


METHODS
All patients' charts were analyzed retrospectively with special emphasis on their cognitive and functional state. A follow-up examination of patients with functional decline at discharge was performed after 3 months.


RESULTS
A change in consciousness, rather than in cognition, predicted the outcome. The death rate was 22% (7/32); all fatal cases were aged 78 and older. Similarly, the functional decline and residual damage appeared only in the older age group (>or=75). Eighty-eight percent of the survivors returned to their premorbid function. In contrast to other viral infections, chronic conditions in the subjects had no effect on the outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
In older adults, WNF carries a high death rate, but the outcome is favorable for the survivors.
Berner
Yitshal N
YN
Department of Geriatric Medicine, Sapir Medical Center-Meir Hospital, Affiliated with Tel Aviv University, Sackler Medical School, Kfar-Saba, Israel. ynberner@clalit.org.il
Lang
Ruth
R
Chowers
Michal Y
MY
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000534:rehabilitation; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors; D014901:West Nile Fever / Q000150:complications* / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*