Glomerular filtration rate and comorbidity factors in elderly hospitalizations

Abstract

BACKGROUND

With an increase in the elderly population, the frequency of hospitalizations in recent years has also risen at a rapid pace. This, in turn, has resulted in poor outcomes and costly treatments. Hospitalization rates increase in elderly patients due to a decline in glomerular filtration rate (GFR).

AIM

To investigate the connection between GFR and comorbidity and reasons for hospitalization in elderly patients.

METHODS

We analyzed patients aged 75 years and over who were admitted to the internal medicine clinic of a tertiary hospital in Eskisehir. At admission, we calculated GFR values using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease study formula and classified them into six categories: G1, G2, G3a, G3b, G4, and G5. We analyzed associations with hospitalization diagnoses and comorbidity factors.

RESULTS

The average age of the patients was 80.8 years (± 4.5 years). GFR was 57.287 ± 29.5 mL/kg/1.73 m² in women and 61.3 ± 31.5 mL/kg/1.73 m² in men (P = 0.106). Most patients were admitted to the hospital at G2 stage (32.8%). The main reasons for hospitalization were anemia (34.4% and 28.6%) and malnutrition (20.9% and 20.8%) in women and men, respectively (P = 0.078). The most frequent comorbidity leading to hospitalization was arterial hypertension (n = 168, 28%), followed by diabetes (n = 166, 27.7%) (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

When evaluating geriatric patients, low GFR alone does not provide sufficient information. Patients’ comorbid factors should also be taken into account. There is no association between low GFR during hospitalization and hospitalization-related diagnoses. Knowing the GFR value before hospitalization will be more informative in such studies.

Keywords: Aging; Glomerular filtration rate; Hospitalization; Comorbidity; Elderly hospitalizations

Core Tip: The process of aging is a natural phenomenon, and the quality of life is of paramount importance during this period. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between renal filtration rate and health outcomes, as well as the incidence of hospitalization, in elderly patients. The analysis was conducted in patients aged 75 years and older who were admitted to the internal medicine clinic of a tertiary care hospital in Eskisehir. At the time of admission, renal filtration rates were calculated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formula and classified into six categories. Associations with health problems during the course of hospitalization were analyzed.