Development and first evaluation of a geriatric assessment in ear, nose and throat medicine

As part of the demographic change, the number of elderly patients in ENT medicine will continue to increase. Although it is known that increased frailty is associated with increased perioperative risks and economic costs, geriatric assessment has not yet been used in ENT. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether this is useful or necessary in ENT medicine.

A short screening questionnaire (Bochumer Geriatrie Bogen, BGB) was developed, consisting of 8 questions (sensory system, social environment, physical condition, polypharmacy and short mental test AMT4) with recommendations for further treatment and cut-off values for further geriatric care. This was recorded in 25 hospitalized ENT patients aged 77.8 (69.5-95.9) years as well as ISAR, LACHS, MoCA-HI, Barthel-Index, GeriatricDepressionScale, Charlson-Comorbidity-Index.

In half of the patients, recommendations for further treatment were given (hearing or eye test 17, swallowing examination 6, cognition test 3, physiotherapy 7, de-escalation of polypharmacy 11, nutrition team 2, social services 5) or a geriatric consultation was recommended. The BGB score correlated with LACHS and ISAR. All five patients who achieved 7 points or more in LACHS were also noticeable in the BGB.

The Bochumer Geriatrie Bogen offers a good opportunity to quickly determine the geriatric risk profile of older patients and to improve their care by implementing specific recommendations for further treatment in everyday ENT.

Publikationsverlauf

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
24. Mai 2022