BACKGROUND: Hospitalisation in nonagenarians patients may causes functional
decline.
PATIENTS AND METHOD: The study sample included all nonagenarians patients a
dmitted during three months in two teaching hospitals.
RESULTS: We studied 125 patients (24 [19%] died). In the remaining 101 pati
ents the previous Barthel index (BI) was 75, at admission 33 (p < 0.0001),
and at discharge 43 (p < 0.001). The decline in BI at discharge was remarka
ble (-32; p < 0.0001) and persisted after 3 months (-12, p < 0.003).
CONCLUSION: After three months of hospitalisation in nonagenarians patients
persist a functional decline.