Factors predicting discharge after two years for inpatients in the psychiatric long-term care wards who can walk independently.
Munetsugu Kota, Sae Uezono, Yusuke Ishibashi and 2 others
PMID 33935362WHAT IT FOUND
Among psychiatric inpatients who could walk unaided, only age predicted discharge after two years.
Patients still hospitalized were older, had longer stays, and worse two-step and stand-up scores, but physical tests did not independently predict discharge.
Key findings
01Only age was adopted as an independent discharge predictor, and a cutoff of 55 years was reported for discharge after two years.
02The discharged group scored 1.35 on the two-step test and 5 on the stand-up test, while the hospitalizing group scored 1.00 and 4.
03The physical function tests were not independent predictors in the regression model, partly because only 12 patients were discharged.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
Only 12 patients were discharged, while 56 remained hospitalized, so the logistic model was underpowered and the physical function tests were not independent predictors. The study analysed 68 patients after excluding patients who could not walk without a cane, did not consent, or had missing data, so it does not apply to patients who need walking aids. Five patients died during follow-up and were not included in the analysis. The discharged group combined home, group homes, and other facilities, and the study did not examine social resources available after discharge. The Barthel Index was at its maximum for many patients, limiting its usefulness for separating the groups. The 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale did not differ between groups, so self-reported locomotive function did not match performance tests. The study did not test an intervention, so it cannot show that walking or leg strength caused delayed discharge.
Declared interests
None reported. The authors declared no conflicts of interest associated with this manuscript.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read the 55-year cutoff or the poor two-step and stand-up scores as proven causes of delayed discharge. The study was observational, only 12 patients were discharged, and only age remained an independent predictor.