• Kellie L Flood, Amy Rohlfing, Cyndi V Le, David B Carr, and Michael W Rich.
• Division of Gerontology, Geriatrics, and Palliative Care, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294-2041, USA. kflood@uab.edu
• J Hosp Med. 2007 Nov 1; 2 (6): 394-400.

BackgroundOlder 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.ObjectivesTo determine the prevalence of geriatric syndromes and incidence of selected adverse events in hospitalized elderly patients with cardiovascular disease.DesignA prospective cohort study.SettingUrban academic medical center.PatientsOne hundred patients at least 70 years old with cardiovascular disease hospitalized on a cardiology ward.MeasurementsStandard 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.ResultsThe 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.ConclusionsThese 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.(c) 2007 Society of Hospital Medicine.

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