Elderly patients with non-specific complaints at the emergency department have a high risk for admission and 30-days mortality.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Older adults have complex medical needs that causes increased use of resources at the emergency department (ED). The prevalence of non-specific complaint (NSC) as a chief-complaint in the ED is common among older adults and is not prioritized even though possibly having worse clinical outcome. The objective was to study hospital admission and mortality for older adults visiting the ED with NSC compared to specific complaints such as dyspnea, chest pain and abdominal pain.

Methods

A retrospective observational study of older adults visiting the ED with NSC and specific complaints; dyspnea, chest pain and abdominal pain was performed. Chief-complaint were collected from electronic medical records. Fatigue, confusion, non-specific complaints, generalized weakness and

SUBMITTER: Erwander K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10762826 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature