Characteristics and outcomes of elderly patients admitted for medical reasons at university teaching hospitals in Rwanda

Background Elderly populations constitute an increasingly significant group and have increasing health needs as the population ages in low- and middle-income settings, including Rwanda. This study aimed to determine the characteristics of elderly patients, admitted at two university teaching hospitals, University Teaching Hospitals of Kigali and Butare (CHUK, CHUB) by performing a comprehensive geriatric assessment at admission until discharge. Methods This cross-sectional study assessed 190 elderly patients (over 60 years) admitted for medical reasons at CHUK and CHUB from February to April 2021. Using convenience sampling, participants from the internal medicine wards, intensive care unit, and emergency department were evaluated for their nutritional status (Mini Nutritional Assessment), cognitive function (Ottawa 3DY), depression (Geriatric Depression Scale), and independence level (Katz ADL). Data was analyzed using STATA v16, with descriptive statistics and logistic regression identifying mortality risk factors at a 95% confidence interval (p < 0.05). Results In this three-month study, 190 elderly patients (mean age 72.8 years) were enrolled at the two hospitals, with 59.5% being female. The leading causes of admission were malignant neoplasms (21.5%), pneumonia (18.4%), and stroke (11.5%), with non-communicable diseases responsible for 71.5% of admissions. Malnutrition was prevalent (47.3%), as was cognitive dysfunction (45%) and depression (30.4%). In multivariate analysis, mortality was independently associated with malnutrition (aOR = 16.403, 95% CI: 1.101–244.33, p = 0.042), malignant neoplasms (aOR = 3.861, 95% CI: 1.062–14.040, p = 0.04), and chronic kidney disease (aOR = 9.418, 95% CI: 1.767–50.195, p = 0.009). Conclusion Elderly patients comprise nearly one-third of medical admissions at major Rwandan hospitals, with numbers expected to rise as life expectancy increases. Non-communicable diseases drive hospitalizations with high mortality rates. Malnutrition, malignancies, and chronic kidney disease independently predict mortality, with malnutrition carrying the highest risk, emphasizing the need for specialized geriatric care and nutrition services.