Age and ageing
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acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) is a major cause of hospital admission, and predicts subsequent medium-term mortality. We aimed to examine mortality predictors in patients discharged from hospital after AECOPD. ⋯ 1-year mortality after AECOPD admission is high. The presence of depressive illness (which is extremely common), and levels of both disability and impairment of quality of life are univariate predictors of 1-year mortality in this patient group. This model may be useful in predicting prognosis for individuals and thus in guiding treatment decisions.
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malnutrition is regarded as a major risk factor for complications and delayed recovery in hospitalised elderly patients. ⋯ this study confirms a high prevalence of malnutrition risk in hospitalised elderly patients. The health care and social welfare system appeared to be unaware of the problem. Poor quality of life in females and loss of the health of a spouse were related to malnutrition risk. The screening variables that were used appeared not to predict hospital length of stay or discharge destination.