Geriatric syndrome and mortality among community-dwelling older adults in Korea: 3-year follow-up study

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of geriatric syndrome on mortality among community- dwelling older adults in Korea.

Methods: Data were obtained from the Actual Living Condition of the Elderly and Welfare Need Survey, with a baseline study in 2008 and a 3-year follow-up of mortality data. The mortality risk was measured using the hierarchical Cox proportional hazard model.

Results: In Cox regression analysis, male (Hazard Ratio [HR], 2.53; 95% Confidence Interval [CI], 2.12~3.01), old age (HR, 2.14; 95% CI, 1.82~2.53), low education level (HR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.04~1.65), limitation in instrumental activities of daily living (HR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.60~2.28), depressive symptoms (HR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.01~1.43), and frailty (HR, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.78~3.03) significantly affected mortality risk.

Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, nursing intervention programs should be provided to decrease preventable death in older adults.