A Multidimensional Risk Score to Predict All-Cause Hospitalization in Community-Dwelling Older Individuals With Obstructive Lung Disease

Abstract

Background: Both respiratory and nonrespiratory hospitalizations are common and costly events in older individuals with obstructive lung disease. Prevention of any hospitalization in these individuals is essential. We aimed to construct a prediction model for all-cause hospitalization risk in community-dwelling older individuals with obstructive lung disease.

Methods: We studied 268 community-dwelling individuals with obstructive lung disease (defined as FEV1/FVC<LLN) who participated in the observational Health, Aging, and Body Composition Study and constructed a prediction model for 9-year all-cause hospitalization risk using a weighted linear combination based on beta coefficients.

Results: There were 225 individuals with 1 or more hospitalizations and 43 individuals free from hospitalization during the follow-up. Heart and vascular disease (H), objectively measured lower extremity dysfunction (O), systemic inflammation (S), dyspnea (P), impaired renal function (I), and tobacco exposure (T) were independent predictors for all-cause hospitalization (ALL). These factors were combined into the HOSPITALL score (0-23 points), with an area under the curve in ROC analysis of 0.70 (P < .001). The hazard ratio for all-cause hospitalization per 1-point increase in the HOSPITALL score was 1.15 (95% confidence interval, 1.11-1.19, P = .001). Increasing HOSPITALL score was further associated with shorter time to first admission, increased admission rate, and more respiratory admissions.

Conclusion: The HOSPITALL score is a multidimensional score to predict all-cause hospitalization risk in community-dwelling older individuals with obstructive lung disease that may aid in patient counseling and prevention to reduce burden and health care costs.

Keywords: COPD; Cox proportional hazards modeling; older age persons; pulmonary disease.