Assessment of Pneumonia in Older Adults: Effect of Functional Status

OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the effect of preadmission functional status on severity of pneumonia, length of hospital stay (LOS), and all‐cause 30‐day and 1‐year mortality of adults aged 60 and older and to understand the effect of pneumonia on short‐term functional impairment. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: University hospital. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred twelve patients with radiograph‐proven pneumonia (mean age 74.6) were enrolled. MEASUREMENTS: Functional status and comorbidities were assessed using the Functional Autonomy Measurement System (SMAF) and Charlson Comorbidity Index. Clinical information was used to calculate the Pneumonia Prognostic Index (PPI). RESULTS: Eighty‐four (75%) patients were functionally independent (FI) before admission, with a SMAF score of 40 or lower. Dementia and aspiration history were higher in the group that was functionally dependent (FD) before admission (P