title: Geriatric syndromes in elderly patients admitted to an inpatient cardiology ward.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Older adults make up an increasing proportion of patients hospitalized with cardiovascular disease. Such patients often have multiple coexisting geriatric syndromes that may affect management and outcomes and are frequently underdiagnosed and untreated.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence of geriatric syndromes and incidence of selected adverse events in hospitalized elderly patients with cardiovascular disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Urban academic medical center.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred patients at least 70 years old with cardiovascular disease hospitalized on a cardiology ward.
  
  
  METHODS
  Standard geriatric screens were administered to assess mood, function, and cognitive status. Patients were followed prospectively for adverse events such as falls, urinary tract infection (UTI), and use of restraints.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of the patients was 79.2 +/- 5.5 years, 61% were female, 68% were white, and mean length of stay was 7 days. Geriatric syndromes were prevalent and included functional impairment (35% dependent in >or=1 activity of daily living), cognitive impairment (19% with abnormal results on the Short Blessed Test), and polypharmacy. Thirty-seven percent of patients were prescribed a potentially inappropriate medication on admission or discharge. Patients receiving a Foley catheter were at increased risk for UTI.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest that geriatric syndromes are prevalent among older patients hospitalized for cardiovascular disease. Further study is needed to determine if interventions designed to increase recognition and treatment of these syndromes can improve outcomes in this patient population.
authors: Division of Gerontology, Geriatrics, and Palliative Care, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294-2041, USA. kflood@uab.edu
authors: Kellie L
authors: KL
authors: Flood
authors: Amy
authors: A
authors: Rohlfing
authors: Cyndi V
authors: CV
authors: Le
authors: David B
authors: DB
authors: Carr
authors: Michael W
authors: MW
authors: Rich
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016507:Cardiology Service, Hospital / Q000639:trends; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000639:trends; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013577:Syndrome