Predictors of rehabilitation outcome among frail elderly patients living in the community

TitlePredictors of rehabilitation outcome among frail elderly patients living in the community
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2009
AuthorsFusco D., Bochicchio G.B, Onder G., Barillaro C., Bernabei R., Landi F.
JournalJournal of the American Medical Directors Association
Volume10
Issue5
Pagination335-41
Date PublishedJun
Type of ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
ISBN Number1538-9375 (Electronic)<br/>1525-8610 (Linking)
Accession Number19497546
Keywords*Home Care Services, *Rehabilitation, Activities of Daily Living, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Female, Geriatric Assessment/methods, Health Status Indicators, Humans, Logistic Models, Male, Outcome Assessment (Health Care)/*methods
Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Physical therapy is frequently offered to community-dwelling frail elderly as part of home care rehabilitation programs. A better knowledge of predictors of rehabilitative success could allow a better targeting of limited resources. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the association of medical indicators of health status on functional recovery during rehabilitation of frail elderly living in the community. SUBJECTS: Subjects included 598 patients aged 70 years or more admitted consecutively to a home care rehabilitation program from January 2004 to December 2004. METHODS: A comprehensive geriatric multidisciplinary evaluation was offered to all patients, based on the Minimum Data Set for Home Care (MDS-HC) assessment form. Predictors of functional recovery were identified by a multiple logistic regression model. Data analyses were based on the items contained in the MDS-HC form. RESULTS: An improvement in ADL score was seen in 33% of patients, while the others remained unchanged or worsened. In multivariate analysis the negative predictors of functional improvement were as follows: cognitive impairment (OR 0.67; CI 0.60-0.74), depression (OR 0.89, CI 0.82-0.96), visual (OR 0.32, CI 0.21-0.50) and hearing impairment (OR 0.42, CI 0.27-0.67), and urinary (OR 0.21, CI 0.14-0.33) and bowel incontinence (OR 0.16, CI 0.10-0.26). CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive impairment, depressed mood, sensory impairment, and incontinence are key factors that need to be assessed in order to individuate patients at risk of failure in rehabilitation. A targeted intervention in these areas could offer the opportunity of improving rehabilitation outcome.

DOI10.1016/j.jamda.2009.02.004
Link

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19497546

Short TitleJ Am Med Dir Assoc
Alternate JournalJ Am Med Dir Assoc