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The outcome of pneumonia in the elderly: a hospital survey

City Hospital, Nottingham

D. Barer

City Hospital, Nottingham

P. Venkatesan

City Hospital, Nottingham

P. Berman

City Hospital, Nottingham

JT Macfarlane

City Hospital, Nottingham

We studied the premorbid characteristics and outcomes of 73 consecutive elderly patients (median age 79 years) admitted to hospital with community-acquired pneumonia. Eighty-six per cent of all patients had previously suffered from chronic diseases (mainly respiratory), 54% had been restricted in outdoor mobility due to breathlessness and 22% had limited self-care ability (Barthel score 15/20 or less). By six weeks 33% had died. Amongst the 49 survivors, nine patients (18%) were in hospital and eight had required a change of residence on discharge indicating a greater level of dependency. Fourteen of these 17 patients had previously lived alone. Amongst those who had returned to private addresses, the prevalence of significant disability (Barthel score 15/20 or less) rose from 20% before the pneumonia to 30% at six weeks. Amongst the less disabled survivors, the perceived health, measured by the Nottingham Health Profile, was similar to that found in a community survey of chronically ill elderly people. In addition to a high fatality rate, community acquired pneumonia in the elderly carries a substantial morbidity in terms of increased dependency and disability.

Clinical Rehabilitation, Vol. 5, No. 3, 201-205 (1991)
DOI: 10.1177/026921559100500305


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