Hospital use and outcomes in somatic patients aged 80 years and older: a retrospective register study from a Norwegian tertiary hospital, 2002–2022

<b>The increase in admissions reflects demographic changes over the past decades. If this population continues to grow towards 2050 as expected, the healthcare system will face major challenges in meeting the demand. Alternatives to hospital admission for older patients should be developed, alongside clearer prioritisation of admission criteria.</b>