Integrated approach for multimorbid patients in a hospitalist setting: Survival analysis of a two-year prospective study

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Multimorbidity is a worldwide issue when aging is rapidly. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of demography, morbidity, disability and depression on short-term and long-term mortality for multimorbid inpatients. METHODS: The participants' information were assessed upon recruitment. Multimorbidity and disability were measured by modified Charlson comorbidities Index (CCI) and Barthel Index for Activity of Daily Living (ADL), respectively. Depression was screened over one-item self-reported perceptions of depressed mood rated as yes or no. The factors of in-hospital mortality and periodic mortality after discharge were examined by Cox proportional hazard regression and Kaplan-Meier survival analyses. RESULTS: A total of 201 inpatients from a hospitalist's ward were recruited. The in-hospital mortality was 14.4%, while 24-month mortality was 57.8%. After adjustment, severe ADL dependence (<35) was the only contributing factor for in-hospital mortality (Hazard Ratio [HR] = 12.94, p = 0.018). The hazard ratios of 3-6-12-24-months of high CCI (≥6) and severe ADL dependence were 8.12-13.57 (p < 0.001) and 2.91-5.39 (p < 0.001) respectively; both trends of impacts were decreasing overtime. Gender rather than age effect was evident. Besides, self-reported depression was associated with 12-month (HR = 1.72, p = 0.04) and 24-month (HR = 1.65, p = 0.038) mortality. Moreover, severe ADL dependence (p = 0.001) and depression (p = 0.01) contributed to higher mortality in non-cancer patients. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggested that gender, multimorbidity, and disability influenced the two-year survival, while depression was the strongest factor related to long-term mortality. Clinicians should notice the importance of integrated approach and mental health care for those with severe disabilities and morbidity.