• Yu-Chieh Tsai, Yung-Ming Chen, Chiung-Jung Wen, Meng-Chen Wu, Yi-Chun Chou, Jen-Hau Chen, Kun-Pei Lin, Ding-Cheng Chan, and Feng-Ping Lu.
• Department of Emergency Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsin-Chu, Taiwan.
• J Formos Med Assoc. 2023 Nov 1; 122 (11): 111111161111-1116.

Background/PurposeThirty-day hospital readmission rate significantly raised with advanced age. The performance of existing predictive models for readmission risk remained uncertain in the oldest population. We aimed to examine the effect of geriatric conditions and multimorbidity on readmission risk among older adults aged 80 and over.MethodsThis prospective cohort study enrolled patients aged 80 and older discharged from a geriatric ward at a tertiary hospital, with phone follow-up for 12 months. Demographics, multimorbidity, and geriatric conditions were assessed before hospital discharge. Logistic regression models were conducted to analyse risk factors for 30-day readmission.ResultsPatients readmitted had higher Charlson comorbidity index scores, and were more likely to have falls, frailty, and longer hospital stay, compared to those without 30-day readmission. Multivariate analysis revealed that higher Charlson comorbidity index score was associated with readmission risk. Older patients with a fall history within 12 months had a near 4-fold increase in readmission risk. Severe frailty status before index admission was associated with a higher 30-day readmission risk. Functional status at discharge was not associated with readmission risk.ConclusionIn addition to multimorbidity, history of falls and frailty were associated with higher hospital readmission risk in the oldest.Copyright © 2023 Formosan Medical Association. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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