Table 3.
Hazard ratios for altered mental status (AMS) as compared to different chief complaints and their risk of short-term mortality
| Unadjusted HR (95% CI) | P Value | Age-Adjusted* HR (95% CI) | P Value | Age-Acuity-Comorbidity Adjusted† HR (95% CI) | P Value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7-day mortality | ||||||
| AMS vs. Abdominal Pain | 3.64 (2.12, 6.27) | <.001 | 3.17 (1.79, 5.61) | <.001 | 0.95 (0.48, 1.89) | .894 |
| AMS vs. Generalized Weakness | 2.25 (1.20, 4.25) | <.05 | 2.24 (1.19, 4.23) | <.05 | 1.28 (0.65, 2.49) | .472 |
| AMS vs. Chest Pain | 4.39 (2.49, 7.74) | <.001 | 3.63 (2.01, 6.56) | <.001 | 3.72 (2.05, 6.76) | <.001 |
| AMS vs. Headache | 6.49 (2.24, 18.83) | <.001 | 6.33 (2.06, 19.46) | <.01 | 1.71 (0.56, 5.19) | .345 |
| 30-day mortality | ||||||
| AMS vs. Abdominal Pain | 3.04 (2.18, 4.24) | <.001 | 2.36 (1.66, 3.34) | <.001 | 1.42 (0.97, 2.10) | .074 |
| AMS vs. Generalized Weakness | 1.29 (0.91, 1.83) | .156 | 1.31 (0.92, 1.86) | 0.133 | 1.08 (0.75, 1.57) | .673 |
| AMS vs. Chest Pain | 4.89 (3.38, 7.08) | <.001 | 3.69 (2.51, 5.41) | <.001 | 3.65 (2.49, 5.37) | <.001 |
| AMS vs. Headache | 5.43 (2.90, 10.16) | <.001 | 4.27 (2.20, 8.29) | <.001 | 2.09 (1.09, 4.01) | .026 |
*
Adjusted for patient age (age included as a continuous variable in the Cox model).
†
Adjusted for patient age (continuous), ESI triage level (categorical: does not assume equal change in risk of mortality between each level), and Charlson comorbidity index (severity weighted sum).