Epidemiology and outcome of older patients presenting with dyspnoea to emergency departments

Abstract

Objectives: To describe the epidemiology and outcomes of non-traumatic dyspnoea in patients aged 75 years or older presenting to emergency departments (EDs) in the Asia-Pacific region. Methods: A substudy of a prospective interrupted time series cohort study conducted at three time points in EDs in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia of patients presenting to the ED with dyspnoea as a main symptom. Data were collected over three 72-h periods and included demographics, co-morbidities, mode of arrival, usual medications, ED investigations and treatment, ED diagnosis and disposition, and outcome. The primary outcomes of interest are the epidemiology and outcome of patients..