title: Mortality and readmission of the elderly one year after hospitalization for pneumonia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Pneumonia, which is common among the elderly, is associated with untoward consequences. We sought, therefore, to describe the incidence of death and readmission, and to determine predictors of these variables during the year subsequent to index hospitalization.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study involved the follow-up of 153 patients surviving an index hospitalization for pneumonia. Death and readmission were documented, and the relationship of selected variables with these outcomes was determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ninety-six (62.6%) of the patients had died or were readmitted. Only a count of comorbidities was correlated significantly with death, readmission, and either death or readmission. Using regression analysis, death alone was predicted by multiple variables. Grip strength and comorbidity counts correctly classified 75.2% of patients relative to that outcome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Untoward outcomes are likely among patients surviving acute hospitalization for pneumonia. These outcomes are related to variables that can be targeted in secondary prevention efforts.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Outcome Research and Evaluation, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, Connecticut 06102, USA. rbohann@harthosp.org
authors.forename: Richard W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Bohannon
authors.forename: Rose
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Maljanian
authors.forename: Jenifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ferullo
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010359:Patient Readmission; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000401:mortality*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D016019:Survival Analysis; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome