Changes in the clinical features of older patients admitted from the emergency department

• The medical and geriatric characteristics of hospitalized older people are evolving even in a short period.
• Older patients with more complex problems and significant functional issues present a specific challenge.
• Interventions should be developed to make the most of existing resources.

Demographic changes and healthcare reforms may impact the profile of hospitalized older persons. In this study, we sought to compare the characteristics of two prospective cohorts recruited at a ten-year interval (1999, n = 253–2009, n = 355). They included older patients (≥75 years) admitted through the emergency department for at least 48 h in acute non-geriatric wards in the same university hospital. The exclusion criteria were patients who were admitted directly to the intensive care unit, who were dependent for all 6 Activities of Daily Living (ADL), who had recently suffered from a major stroke, or whose with a life expectancy of less than 3 months. Median age was higher in 2009 than in 1999 (83 vs. 81; p = 0.020), with a higher proportion of those aged 85 years and over (p = 0.026). Patients in the 2009 cohort were less likely to live in a nursing home (p = 0.018), more dependent for the basic ADL (p < 0.001), more independent for the instrumental ADL (p < 0.001). They were more likely to have fallen in the previous year (p < 0.001). They took more medications (p < 0.001). Their length-of-stay was shorter (p < 0.001), but they were more likely to be discharged to a rehabilitation center (p < 0.001). They underwent more early re-admissions (p = 0.020) and similar 3-month functional decline (p = 0.614). In conclusion, within a decade, the social, functional and medical characteristics of older patients admitted to hospital have changed significantly. In view of the high consumption of in-patient services by this population, hospitals must adapt to these rapid changes.