THE PREHOSPITALIZATION FUNCTIONAL AND COGNITIVE STATUS AND THE COURSEOF ACUTE INFECTIOUS-DISEASE IN THE ELDERLY

A total of 105 elderly patients hospitalized for acute infectious dise ase were classified into prehospital demented and non demented groups and into dependent and independent groups. Demographic data, clinical and biological parameters and previous health problems were recorded. There was a significant difference between the two cognitive and funct ional groups in complications, length of stay, dehydration, confusion, albumin and hemoglobin. A logistic regression analysis taking into ac count the epidemiologic parameters, functional and cognitive status an d the medical health problems has shown that only age, dementia and pr evious neurologic disease (mainly stroke) are independent risk factors for confusion and complications. Thus, the prehospitalization functio n, cognitive status and previous neurologic disease in elderly patient s with acute infections may have a predictive and prognostic value. (C ) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.