Asymptomatic urinary retention in elderly women upon admission to the Internal Medicine department: A prospective study

Background: Low blood ALT, Alanine aminotransferase activity and high FRAIL (Fatigue, Resistance, Ambulation, Illnesses and Loss of Weight) questionnaire scores were previously shown to be associated with frailty and increased risk of mortality. We aimed to correlate these tools with mortality and each other in patients hospitalized in an internal medicine department. Methods: This is a prospective study in a large tertiary hospital. We assessed the predictive value for clinical outcomes of both low ALT blood activity and the pre-frail and frail categories of the “FRAIL” questionnaire. Results: During a 15 months study, 179 consecutive patients were recruited, of whom 20 died. When all study participants were divided to three groups according to admission ALT levels (below 10 IU/L, 11 to 19 IU/L and above 20 IU/L) we found a statistically significant difference in the rate of mortality: 4 patients died within the group of ALT < 10 IU/L, 14 patients died in the group of 10 IU/L < ALT < 19 IU/L and in the group of patients with ALT > 20 IU/L, only 2 patients died (p = 0.042). A higher score on the FRAIL questionnaire was associated, with statistical significance, with higher risk of mortality (p = 0.029). There was a significant correlation (p = 0.038) between blood ALT activity and the pre-frailty and frailty classifications by the FRAIL Questionnaire. Conclusions: Both the FRAIL questionnaire and blood ALT activity are simple and practical tools for frailty assessment and risk stratification of patients hospitalized in the internal medicine department. Both tool’s results also correlate with each other.

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Frailty and Sarcopenia Assessment upon Hospital Admission to Internal Medicine Predicts Length of Hospital Stay and Re-Admission: A Prospective Study of 980 Patients

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm9082659 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (8) ◽

pp. 2659 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sapir Anani ◽

Gal Goldhaber ◽

Adi Brom ◽

Nir Lasman ◽

Natia Turpashvili ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Internal Medicine ◽

Hospital Admission ◽

Prospective Study ◽

Length Of Hospital Stay ◽

Activity Level ◽

Medicine Department ◽

Frail Patients ◽

Increased Risk ◽

A Prospective Study ◽

Alt Activity

Background: Frailty and sarcopenia are associated with frequent hospitalizations and poor clinical outcomes in geriatric patients. Ascertaining this association for younger patients hospitalized in internal medicine departments could help better prognosticate patients in the realm of internal medicine. Methods: During a 1-year prospective study in an internal medicine department, we evaluated patients upon admission for sarcopenia and frailty. We used the FRAIL questionnaire, blood alanine-amino transferase (ALT) activity, and mid-arm muscle circumference (MAMC) measurements. Results: We recruited 980 consecutive patients upon hospital admission (median age 72 years (IQR 65–79); 56.8% males). According to the FRAIL questionnaire, 106 (10.8%) patients were robust, 368 (37.5%) pre-frail, and 506 (51.7%) were frail. The median ALT value was 19IU/L (IQR 14–28). The median MAMC value was 27.8 (IQR 25.7–30.2). Patients with low ALT activity level (<17IU/L) were frailer according to their FRAIL score (3 (IQR 2–4) vs. 2 (IQR 1–3); p < 0.001). Higher MAMC values were associated with higher ALT activity, both representing robustness. The rate of 30 days readmission in the whole cohort was 17.4%. Frail patients, according to the FRAIL score (FS), had a higher risk for 30 days readmission (for FS > 2, HR = 1.99; 95CI = 1.29–3.08; p = 0.002). Frail patients, according to low ALT activity, also had a significantly higher risk for 30 days readmission (HR = 2.22; 95CI = 1.26–3.91; p = 0.006). After excluding patients whose length of stay (LOS) was ≥10 days, 252 (27.5%) stayed in-hospital for 4 days or longer. Frail patients according to FS had a higher risk for LOS ≥4 days (for FS > 2, HR = 1.87; 95CI = 1.39–2.52; p < 0.001). Frail patients, according to low ALT activity, were also at higher risk for LOS ≥4 days (HR = 1.87; 95CI = 1.39–2.52; p < 0.001). MAMC values were not correlated with patients’ LOS or risk for re-admission. Conclusion: Frailty and sarcopenia upon admission to internal medicine departments are associated with longer hospitalization and increased risk for re-admission.

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