PREDICTORS OF 2-YEAR MORTALITY AMONG OLDER MALE VETERANS ON A GERIATRIC REHABILITATION UNIT

OBJECTIVE: To determine if nutritional parameters and discharge settin g are associated with mortality in older male veterans on a Geriatric rehabilitation unit (GRU). DESIGN: Two-year follow-up of sequential ad missions to the GRU who had laboratory studies completed on admission to the acute hospital and on transfer to and discharge from the GRU. S ETTING: University-affiliate VA medical center. PATIENTS: Eighty-three consecutive older male veterans admitted to the GRU. MEASUREMENT: Mor tality during a period of 2 years post-discharge. MAIN RESULTS: In a u nivariate analysis, predictors of mortality were serum albumin level l ess than or equal to 3.5g/dL on admission to the GRU (P = .01), modera te or severe Nutritional Status Score (P = .03), discharge to a place other than home (P = .01), and use of antibiotics while on the GRU (P = .05). Discharge albumin remained the single significant predictor of mortality in a multivariate analysis (P = .005). CONCLUSIONS: Serum a lbumin is the strongest predictor of 2-year post-hospitalization morta lity of older patients cared for on a GRU. Other predictors were prese nce of infection, Nutritional Status Score of moderate or severe compr omise, and discharge to a place other than home.