Health-Related Quality of Life Measured by EQ-5D in Relation to Hospital Stay and Readmission in Elderly Patients Hospitalized for Acute Illness

• Main Authors: Cheng-Fu Lin, Yu-Hui Huang, Li-Ying Ju, Shuo-Chun Weng, Yu-Shan Lee, Yin-Yi Chou, Chu-Sheng Lin, Shih-Yi Lin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-07-01
• Series: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Subjects: aged; geriatric assessment; length of stay; readmission; quality of life
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/15/5333

We evaluated the predictability of self-reported Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) assessed by the 3-level 5-dimensional Euro-Quality of Life tool (EQ-5D-3L) and the EQ-Visual Analog Scale (EQ-VAS) on clinical outcomes of elderly patients who were admitted to an acute geriatric ward. A total of 102 participants (56.9% men) with a median age of 81.0 years (interquartile range or IQR: 76.0–85.3 years) were studied. The age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index was 5.0 (IQR: 4.0–6.0) with a median length of stay (LOS) of 9.0 days (IQR: 7.0–15.0 days). No death occurred during hospitalization, and within 30 days after discharge, 15 patients were readmitted. During hospitalization, the EQ-5D-3L index was 0.440 at admission and that improved to 0.648 at discharge (<i>p</i> < 0.001). EQ-VAS scores also improved similarly from 60 to 70 (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Physical, cognitive function, frailty parameters (hand grip strength and walking speed), and nutritional status at admission all improved significantly during hospitalization and were related to EQ-5D-3L index or EQ-VAS scores at discharge. After controlling for relevant factors, EQ-5D-3L index at admission was found to be associated with LOS. In addition, EQ-VAS was marginally related to readmission. HRQoL assessment during hospitalization could be useful to guide clinical practice and to improve outcome.