Risk factors for lack of recovery of ADL independence after hospital discharge

OBJECTIVE: To determine risk factors for lack of recovery of independent functioning after hospitalization fur acute medical illness. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of cohort study of patients receiving home nursing after discharge. SETTING: Evaluations performed in the home after discharge and 1 month later. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 73 adults aged 65 years and older who were independent in activities of daily living (ADLs) before hospitalization and dependent at discharge. MEASUREMENTS: Self-report and objective measures of function, mobility, and cognition. OUTCOME: Return to independence in ADLs 1 month after discharge. RESULTS: Fifty-nine percent of patients did nor; return to previous ADL independence by 1 month postdischarge. The likelihood for not recovering was 87% (95% CI, 70-100%) if a patient had a Mini-Mental State Examination score (MMSE) < 24 at discharge (P = .015), Among patients with good cognition, 85% (95% CI, 66-100%) of those who used an assistive device indoors before hospitalization did not recover (P = .007), Among patients with good cognition and no previous assistive device use, 73% (95% CI, 47-99%) of those with a Timed "Up and Go" of greater than or equal to 40 seconds did not recover (P = .012). The likelihood of recovery was high (76%, 95% CI 56-96%) if a patient had no assistive device prehospital, a good MMSE, and, a Timed "Up and Go" of < 20 seconds. CONCLUSION: We hypothesize that a classification strategy using cognition, prehospital mobility, and discharge physical performance will predict patients who are less likely to recover functional independence after hospitalization. If this is validated in future study, it may help clinicians identify patients who are more likely to benefit from additional intervention.