Abstract
Background
Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in the elderly. Few studies compare the elderly (>65) and very elderly (≥85 years). We aimed to describe characteristics and patterns of care for very elderly patients hospitalized with CAP.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective cohort study using administrative data from 2010 to 2015 of about 660 US hospitals in the Premier database. Adults aged ≥65 years hospitalized with CAP, identified by either a principal ICD-9 code of pneumonia or a principal diagnosis of sepsis or respiratory failure coupled with a secondary code for pneumonia, were included. We compared demographics, insurance status, comorbidities, presentation characteristics and treatments among three age groups: 65–74, 75–84, and ≥ 85 years.
Results
The final sample included 488,382 patients aged ≥65 years, a third of whom were ≥85 years. Geriatricians cared for <1% of patients during hospitalization, regardless of patient age. Compared with those aged 65–74 years, the patients ≥85 were more likely to be female, of white race, have Medicare insurance, and a principal diagnosis of aspiration pneumonia (17.1% vs. 7%) (Table 1). The oldest group had higher rates of cardiac comorbidities, chronic kidney disease and dementia, but lower rates of diabetes, obesity, pulmonary disease, and smoking. On presentation, more of the very elderly had concomitant urinary tract infections. They were less likely to receive opiates and benzodiazepines, but more likely to receive foley catheters and antipsychotic medications. Antibiotics given in the first 2 days were similar across the groups. Fewer very elderly patients were admitted to the ICU or got ventilation compared with younger groups. More of the very elderly were discharged to hospice and fewer were discharged home. Compared with younger ages, the very elderly had similar lengths of stay but lower costs, and higher in-hospital mortality and 30-day readmission.
Conclusion
The very elderly represent a unique population with distinct clinical characteristics and outcomes from younger elderly patients. They have different co-morbidities and appear to receive less aggressive treatment with lower costs and higher mortality despite similar lengths of stay.
Disclosures
All authors: No reported disclosures.
Deaths among the elderly with ICU infections
