• Martin Müller, Meret E Ricklin, Stefan Weiler, Aristomenis K Exadaktylos, and Spyridon Arampatzis.
• Department of Emergency Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
• Geriatr Gerontol Int. 2018 Mar 1; 18 (3): 415-420.

AimIn the coming years, older individuals will comprise an increasing share of emergency department (ED) admissions, due to the unprecedented and continuing demographic changes. The primary aim of the present study was to identify causes and risk factors for ED admission and hospitalizations in the oldest old.MethodsWe analyzed data of consecutive patients aged in their mid 90s and older (aged ≥94 years) admitted to the ED department of the University Hospital of Bern, Bern, Switzerland, between 2000 and 2010. Using multivariate logistic regression, we explored relevant demographic and clinical characteristics of patients visiting the ED, in association with hospitalization and fractures.ResultsA total of 352 ED admissions occurred during the study period. The majority of patients (85%) were admitted from home, and most (63%) admissions resulted in hospitalization. Hospital admissions were frequently related to injuries from falls (42%). Risk factors for hospitalization were fractures, the number of comorbidities (measured by the Charlson Comorbidity Index) and hypertension. Major risk factors for fractures were female sex, benzodiazepine use and the diagnosis of dementia.ConclusionsMost ED visits of older adults aged in their mid 90s and older were due to falls and fractures, and resulted in hospitalization. The present findings clearly emphasize the need for further investigations of drug prescription patterns and fracture prevention in such patients. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 415-420.© 2017 Japan Geriatrics Society.

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