title: Relationship between hospitalization and functional and cognitive impairment in hospitalized older adults patients.
abstract: To study changes in the cognitive status and dependency of patients aged over 65 years during hospitalization for bone fracture and how these changes relate to the total number of days of admission and absolute rest during hospitalization. Along with cognitive decline, musculoskeletal disorders are considered key factors in this patient population. As well as requiring hospital admission and/or surgical treatment, fractures increase the risk factors that contribute to disability and dependency in older adults.
  
  
  
  A longitudinal case-series study with repeated follow-up assessments was conducted. The sample consisted of 259 older adults. The following tests were administered: Barthel index, Lawton-Brody's scale, Phototest, and informant questionnaire on cognitive decline in the elderly.
  
  
  
  The main variable which fosters functional dependency, cognitive decline, and functional loss and diminishes functional gain (both in the hospital and at home) is the number of days of bed rest during hospitalization.
  
  
  
  The present study reveals that the greater impact on levels of functional dependency and cognitive decline comes from the patient's days of bed rest in hospital, rather than the total days of hospitalization. These findings could be taken into consideration when discussing post-discharge functional recovery.
authors: a Department of Nursing , University of Jaén , Campus Las Lagunillas, Jaén , Spain.
authors: María José
authors: MJ
authors: Calero-García
authors: b Department of Psychology , University of Jaén , Campus Las Lagunillas, Jaén , Spain.
authors: Ana Raquel
authors: AR
authors: Ortega
authors: c Department of Personality, Evaluation and Psychological Treatment , Campus Universitario de Cartuja , Granada , Spain.
authors: Elena
authors: E
authors: Navarro
authors: c Department of Personality, Evaluation and Psychological Treatment , Campus Universitario de Cartuja , Granada , Spain.
authors: María Dolores
authors: MD
authors: Calero
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000628:therapy*; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male
keywords: Older adult; elder care; gerontology; hospitalized patients; older patients