April 1, 1985QJM
Syncope in an Elderly, Institutionalised Population: Prevalence, Incidence, and Associated Risk
Key result
Syncope in very old institutionalised patients was associated with greater functional disability (p=0.003) but did not independently increase two-year rates of hospitalisation or death.
Why the study?
What is the prevalence, incidence, and prognostic impact of syncope in an elderly institutionalised population?
Population
711 very old (mean age 87 years) institutionalised patients
Design
Cohort
Follow-up
2 years
Authors
Discussion
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Implication
Syncope does not independently worsen outcomes in institutionalised elderly; leaves open its role as comorbidity marker versus intervention target.
Key Points
- The aim is to assess the prevalence and incidence of syncope among institutionalised elderly and identify associated risks.
- Retrospective analysis of 711 institutionalised patients with mean age 87 years.
- Two-year prospective follow-up to assess yearly incidence and recurrence of syncope.
- Life-table survival analysis for examining mortality differences.
- 10-year prevalence of syncope was 23% and one-year incidence was 7%.
- Among 67 patients who developed syncope during follow-up, 14 had cardiac aetiologies and 32 had non-cardiac aetiologies.
- No significant difference in hospitalization, death rates, or mortality among subgroups with different aetiologies.
Study Design
Type
Cohort (n=711)
Structured PICO
What is the prevalence, incidence, and prognostic impact of syncope in an elderly institutionalised population?
P
Population
711 very old (mean age 87 years) institutionalised patients
C
Comparator
Patients without the development of syncope
O
Outcome
Prevalence, incidence, and associated risk (functional disability, hospitalisation, mortality) of syncopehard clinical
Syncope is common in institutionalised elderly patients and is likely a manifestation of co-morbid disease rather than an independent predictor of mortality.
Cite This Study
Lipsitz et al. (1985) conducted a cohort in Syncope (n=711). Syncope vs. No syncope was evaluated on Two-year rates of hospitalisation and death. Syncope in very old institutionalised patients was associated with greater functional disability (p=0.003) but did not independently increase two-year rates of hospitalisation or death.