Investigation of the current status of disability and its associated risk factors in elderly hospitalized patients / 中华老年医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the current status of disability and its associated risk factors in elderly inpatients.Methods:Clinical data of elderly inpatients aged 60 years and above at internal medicine department of 13 Grade-A Tertiary hospitals from 7 cities across China were retrospectively analyzed.A comprehensive health assessment survey for the elderly was conducted.The prevalence of disability and related risk factors were analyzed.Results:The disability rate was 18.8%(817/4 348)in this study.The disability rate was higher in south China than in north China(25.7% or 475/1 851 vs.13.7% or 342/2 497, χ2=99.735, P<0.001), and the disability rate was higher in urban areas than in rural areas(19.7% or 667/3 391 vs.15.7% or 150/957, χ2=7.809, P=0.005). After adjustment for potential confounders, the independent risk factors for disability in elderly inpatients included age(≥75 years), region(living in south China), widowhood, low education level, BMI(<18.5 kg/m 2), low income level(≤2 000 yuan/month), multimorbidity status and daily activity time(<1 hour)(all P<0.05). Conclusions:Disability is common in elderly inpatients in China, and its occurrence can be reduced by controlling chronic diseases, and improving nutrition and other ways.