Depressive symptoms, apathy, and adverse health outcomes in acutely hospitalized older patients Research to get the ball rolling

Among older adults, acute medical illness is often accompanied by geriatric syndromes such as depressive symptoms and apathy. However, the main focus of hospital care professionals is acute medical illness; as a result, geriatric syndromes may be overlooked and remain following acute hospitalization. Therefore, this thesis primarily focuses on depressive symptoms and apathy as potential predictors of adverse health outcomes during and after acute hospitalization among older adults. This will be addressed in three ways: first, by assessing the prevalence of these syndromes compared with other geriatric syndromes; second, by analyzing the longitudinal effects of depressive symptoms and their associations with adverse health outcomes; and third, by analyzing specific depressive symptoms (e.g., feelings of hopelessness) and specific symptoms of apathy (e.g., loss of interest). The findings provide evidence that depressive symptoms and apathy are highly prevalent during and after hospitalization and are associated with adverse health outcomes, such as functional decline, falls, and mortality. Therefore, healthcare professionals need to be aware of these syndromes and also better recognize them with regard to the management of acute medical illness. To determine which approach fits a person best, future studies may need to shift to pay more attention to the possible etiologies of these syndromes (e.g., sickness behavior, frailty, and/or palliative symptoms). Finally, future interventions should initiate adequate follow-up care, as well as transitional care, not only targeting physical aspects but also placing more attention on the role of mental aspects amongst this population.