[Current and lifetime depression as a risk factor for hospital admission in patients older than 74 years attended in an emergency department].

INTRODUCTION: Depression is especially frequent in the elderly. In addition to impairing quality of life, this disorder can affect the outcome of medical diseases. The objective is to analyze whether depressive disorders in elderly individuals attending an emergency room for medical complaints constitute a risk factor for admission.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: All patients aged more than 74 years old attending the Emergency Department of the Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias who required comprehensive geriatric assessment from 2004 to 2005 were included in this study. Sociodemographic variables and data on functional, cognitive and emotional status before attendance at the emergency department were collected. A logistic regression analysis was performed to determine whether there was an independent association between depression and admission to the Geriatric Service.

RESULTS: A total of 1016 patients (62.32% women) were evaluated. The mean age was 87.4 years. The Barthel index before admission to the emergency department was 71.8 (95% confidence interval [CI]: Depression was diagnosed in 17.4% of the patients (75.7% women). Of the whole sample, 721 patients (71.0%) were admitted to a geriatric service, while 79.7% of patients with depression were admitted (p=0.002). After multivariate regression analysis adjusted by age, sex, marital status, institutionalization, living arrangements, Barthel index and cognitive status before admission, depression was independently associated with a greater risk for admission to a geriatric service (odds ratio: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.20-2.78).

CONCLUSIONS: Depression and mood disorders constitute an independent risk factor for admission to a geriatric service in patients aged more than 74 years assessed by comprehensive geriatric methodology in an emergency department.