title: Depressive symptoms and hospital readmission in older adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To quantify the risk of 30-day unplanned hospital readmission in adults aged 65 and older with depressive symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University of Maryland Medical Center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Individuals aged 65 and older admitted between July 1, 2011, and August 9, 2012, to the general medical and surgical units and followed for 31 days after hospital discharge (N = 750).
  
  
  METHODS
  Primary exposure was depressive symptoms at admission, defined as a score of 6 or more on the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale. Primary outcome was unplanned 30-day hospital readmission, defined as an unscheduled overnight stay at any inpatient facility not occurring in the emergency department.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Prevalence of depressive symptoms was 19% and incidence of 30-day unplanned hospital readmission was 19%. Depressive symptoms were not significantly associated with hospital readmission (relative risk (RR) = 1.20, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.83-1.72). Age, Charlson Comorbidity Index score, and number of hospitalizations within the past 6 months were significant predictors of unplanned 30-day hospital readmission.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although not associated with hospital readmission, depressive symptoms were associated with other poor outcomes and may be underdiagnosed in hospitalized older adults. Hospitals interested in reducing readmission should focus on older adults with more comorbid illness and recent hospitalizations.
authors: Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Mayland; Department of Pharmaceutical Health Services Research, School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Mayland.
authors: Jennifer S
authors: JS
authors: Albrecht
authors: Ann L
authors: AL
authors: Gruber-Baldini
authors: Jon M
authors: JM
authors: Hirshon
authors: Clayton H
authors: CH
authors: Brown
authors: Richard
authors: R
authors: Goldberg
authors: Joseph H
authors: JH
authors: Rosenberg
authors: Angela C
authors: AC
authors: Comer
authors: Jon P
authors: JP
authors: Furuno
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D016638:Critical Illness / Q000628:therapy*; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008396:Maryland / Q000453:epidemiology; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000639:trends*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: depressive symptoms; hospital readmission; older adults