Assessment of Functional Status and Comorbidities among Elderly Admitted in Sub-Regional Hospital, Parsa

Abstract

Introduction: Functional decline may be the first sign of changing health status and the prevalence of co morbidity is high among elderly affecting their functional ability and increases need of hospitalizations. The functional assessment is one of the trademarks of the geriatric assessment that measures the outcome of the treatment, determinant of end of life medical costs and helps to plan for further care needed for elderly. Numerous studies have shown an association between aging and higher risks of functional dependence as well as a high prevalence of functional disability in the older adult population. Hence, this study is to assess the functional status and comorbidities among elderly patient.

Method: A descriptive cross- sectional study was done among elderly patient admitted in different wards of the Narayani Sub-regional Hospital, Parsa. Data was collected through census method from 121 respondents by using interview schedule through interview method. Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living was used to assess the functional status of elderly. Descriptive and inferential statistics (chi square & odds ratio) were used for analysis.

Results: The study reveals more than half of the respondents (62.8%) were dependent in basic activities of daily living (BADLs). Among them, 57.9% were severely dependent followed by 42.1% moderately dependent in BADLs. Respondents were dependent in bathing (68.6%), toileting (59.5%) and transferring (43.8%). Regarding comorbidities with physical problems, each respondent has average six comorbidities with minimum two comorbidities (Mean 1.71). Among them, 8.1% respondents had chronic cough, hypertension (21.5%), diabetes (8.3%), vision problem (34.7%) and 29.8% had hearing impairment. The study also reveals that hypertension, age and BMI significantly affect the functional status of the elderly. Conclusion: More than half of the respondents were dependent in BADLs especially in bathing, toileting and transferring. Each respondent had average two comorbidities. Hypertension, age and BMI significantly affect the functional status of the elderly. Therefore, functional status and comorbidities of the elderly must be assessed in regular basis to improve the quality of life.