The aim of this study was to describe the predictive role of the modified SEGA frailty scale on nursing home admission, readmission to hospital, falls and mortality.
Material and methods: We performed a prospective, single-centre cohort study in patients discharged from a geriatric hospital ward between July 2016 and February 2017, with follow-up of six months. Patients aged 65 and over who were returning home from hospital were included. The primary outcome measure was admission to a nursing home at six months. We used a Cox model to explore the predictive nature of the variables.
Results: Thirty-three patients (18.4%) with a mean age of 80.9 years (± 6.5) were classified as not very frail and 146 (81.6%) with a mean age of 86 years (± 6.5) as frail/very frail. After six months, 13.5% of the frail/very frail patients and 1.2% of the not very frail patients had entered a nursing home (p = 0.169). Frailty status was significantly associated with readmission to hospital at three months (p = 0.026) and single or multiple falls at six months (p = 0.003).
Conclusion: The modified SEGA scale may predict the occurrence of adverse events and improve the transition to home.
Keywords: SEGA; elderly; frailty; prevention; primary care.