Non-traumatic chief complaints in older patients in European emergency departments and associated outcomes during the Covid-19 pandemic – a secondary analysis of the cross sectional EGERS study

BACKGROUND: The scope of medical conditions addressed in Emergency Departments (ED) increases with growing numbers of older patients among the ED patient population. More information on their chief complaints and related treatment outcomes is essential to ensure high-quality ED care. The objective of this study was to describe the pattern of chief complaints of older ED patients and evaluate the associations between these complaints and outcomes such as mortality and hospital admission. METHODS: This secondary analysis is based on the observational 'Epidemiology of Geriatric patients in Europe' (EGERS) study. This prospective, routine data cross-sectional study was conducted in 36 EDs across 9 European countries. Data collection from routine clinical records of all patients aged 65 and older over a 7-day period from October 19 to November 30, 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic. Patients with one documented non-traumatic chief complaint were analyzed. Descriptive statistics, logistic regression, and general linear mixed models were used to assess factors associated with hospital admission and in-hospital mortality. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were reported. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 2,794 patients with one specified chief complaint. The mean age was 77.4 (± 8.2) years. The most frequent chief complaints were shortness of breath, abdominal pain, chest pain, weakness and fatigue, and extremity pain and numbness, representing 59% of the cohort. Highest age (≥ 85), geriatric risks (i.e. presence of dementia/Alzheimer's disease (AD), home help service or previous falls), polypharmacy, and shortness of breath increased the odds of being admitted to hospital (OR 1.4 [1.2-1.9]; OR 1.6 [1.3-1.9]; OR 1.3 [1.1-1.6]; OR 3.0 [2.4-3.8]), while female sex was negatively associated with admission (OR 0.7 [0.6-0.8]). Shortness of breath was positively associated with in-hospital mortality (OR 2.2 [1.4-4.3]). CONCLUSION: Older patients frequently require hospital admission. As chief complaints do not reflect underlying condition or severity, structured evaluation, staff training and geriatric specific care pathways may improve care and reduce adverse clinical outcomes.