[Usefulness of a new index for mortality after hospitalization in adults older than 70 years].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Walter et al developed and validated a mortality prognostic index in older adults after hospitalization. Our objective was to evaluate the Walter index utility and to compare it with Charlson index and Barthel index in our population.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

455 patients were included (224 men and 231 women), medium age was 81.4 years (range: 70-99), who were discharged from 4 hospitals in Barcelona. At the moment of discharge Barthel index, Charlson index and Walter index were administered.

RESULTS

One year after discharge the mortality was 40.66%. Medium Barthel index (standard deviation) was 64.42 (35.66), medium Charlson index was 3.07 (1.87), and medium Walter index was 5.34 (2.97). ROC curves analysis was done and it shows the bigger area under the curve was Walter index (0.691).

CONCLUSIONS

It's proved the Walter index utility for mortality prognostic one year after discharge in elderly people who are admitted in our hospitals. This could be useful to make a care design and therapeutic objectives.