ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
The increase in life expectancy is a global reality and determines the highest prevalence of chronic diseases and greater demand for health services, including hospitals. Currently, studies have focused on functional decline and its consequences - the demand for material and human resources, institutionalization and hospitalization. This paper aimed to critically review the available literature on the risk factors associated with functional decline in hospitalized elderly people.
METHODOLOGY:
Search the databases MEDLINE, LILACS and SciELO, in English and Portuguese between 2000 and 2007, using the key words hospital, elderly, functional status, aged and functional decline and references of selected articles.
RESULTS:
Thirty-one publications met the inclusion criteria. After critical reading of the ABSTRACT, the 15 most relevant papers were selected.
CONCLUSION:
The functional decline can occur before, during and / or after hospitalization. Advanced age, prior functional impairment, cognitive impairment, iatrogenic, severe medical condition and history of falls were the risk factors most often cited. Functional capacity, as a marker of health in this group, deserves further investigation.
Key words:
Elderly; Functioning; Hospitalization; Risk Factors; Health of the Elderly.