As part of the demographic change, the number of elderly patients in ENT medicine
will continue to increase. Although it is known that increased frailty is associated
with increased perioperative risks and economic costs, geriatric assessment has not
yet been used in ENT. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether this is useful
or necessary in ENT medicine.
A short screening questionnaire (Bochumer Geriatrie Bogen, BGB) was developed, consisting
of 8 questions (sensory system, social environment, physical condition, polypharmacy
and short mental test AMT4) with recommendations for further treatment and cut-off
values for further geriatric care. This was recorded in 25 hospitalized ENT patients
aged 77.8 (69.5-95.9) years as well as ISAR, LACHS, MoCA-HI, Barthel-Index, GeriatricDepressionScale,
Charlson-Comorbidity-Index.
In half of the patients, recommendations for further treatment were given (hearing
or eye test 17, swallowing examination 6, cognition test 3, physiotherapy 7, de-escalation
of polypharmacy 11, nutrition team 2, social services 5) or a geriatric consultation
was recommended. The BGB score correlated with LACHS and ISAR. All five patients who
achieved 7 points or more in LACHS were also noticeable in the BGB.
The Bochumer Geriatrie Bogen offers a good opportunity to quickly determine the geriatric
risk profile of older patients and to improve their care by implementing specific
recommendations for further treatment in everyday ENT.
