[Pluripathology among inpatients: characteristics of hospitalized patients in medical clinic wards].

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of pluripathology and polypharmacy among hospitalized patients in internal medicine wards at an acute care hospital, including their sociodemographic and clinical characteristics.

Methods: Observational, prospective, longitudinal, descriptive and analytical study. All patients hospitalized in the internal medicine ward at Hospital Tornú from May to September 2019 were included through consecutive sampling. Data from medical records were collected. Functional dependency and prognosis were assessed using the Barthel, Charlson and PROFUND Indexes.

Results: 170 patients (58% male) were registered. Women were significantly older. Pluripathology prevalence: 32%; polypharmacy 38%; high BP: 48%; diabetes: 27%; cognitive impairment 15%; heart failure: 14%; stroke: 12%; anemia: 24%; CKD 10%. Total readmissions 10% (94% with early readmissions; 94% with readmissions related to a previous hospitalization). Global Mortality: 12%. Patients with pluripathology were elderly (78% > 65 years old) with a higher polypharmacy frequency (p < 0.0001) and functional dependence (p = 0.001). Mortality in patients with pluripathology (22%) was higher than in others (p = 0.0095) with higher Charlson and PROFUND scores (p < 0.0001). There were no significant differences in terms of hospital stay or readmissions.

Conclusions: Pluripathological patients are common in our inpatient hospital department. This study reveals the importance of considering this type of patients in public hospitals due to its frequency, characteristics and healthcare utilization and costs.