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Background Frailty complicates management and worsens outcomes. We assessed the prevalence, determinants and consequences of frailty among elderly patients in a hospital setting. Design Retrospective observational study in a Swiss university hospital. Methods 22,323 patients aged ≥65 years hospitalized between January 2009 and December 2017 at the internal medicine ward were included. Frailty was defined by the Hospital Frailty Risk Score (HFRS) and patients were categorized as low (HFRS15) risk. Results Overall prevalence of intermediate and high risk of frailty was 43% and 20%, respectively; prevalence was higher in women and increased with age. Prevalence of high risk of frailty increased from 11.4% in 2009 to 31% in 2012, and decreased to 19.2% in 2017. After multivariable adjustment, frailty was associated with increased length of stay: average and (95% confidence interval) 11.9 (11.7–12.1), 15.6 (15.4–15.8) and 19.7 (19.3–20.1) days for low, intermediate and high risk, respectively, and increased likelihood of ICU stay: odds ratio (OR) and (95% CI) 1.57 (1.41–1.75) and 2.10 (1.82–2.42) for intermediate and high risk, respectively, p for trend 70,000 CHF: OR and (95% CI) 3.46 (2.79–4.29) and 10.7 (8.47–13.6) for intermediate and high risk, respectively, p for trend Conclusions Frailty is a frequent condition among hospitalized patients and is associated with higher costs.

Background The rapid spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has caused more than 3.9 million cases worldwide. Currently, there is great interest to assess venous thrombosis prevalence, diagnosis, prevention, and management in patients with COVID-19. Objectives To determine the prevalence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in critically ill patients with COVID-19, using lower limbs venous ultrasonography screening. Methods Beginning March 8, we enrolled 25 patients who were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections. The presence of lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was systematically assessed by ultrasonography between day 5 and 10 after admission. The data reported here are those available up to May 9, 2020. Results The mean (± standard deviation) age of the patients was 68 ± 11 years, and 64% were men. No patients had a history of VTE. During the ICU stay, 8 patients (32%) had a VTE; 6 (24%) a proximal DVT, and 5 (20%) a pulmonary embolism. The rate of symptomatic VTE was 24%, while 8% of patients had screen-detected DVT. Only those patients with a documented VTE received a therapeutic anticoagulant regimen. As of May 9, 2020, 5 patients had died (20%), 2 remained in the ICU (8%), and 18 were discharged (72%). Conclusions In critically ill patients with SARS-CoV-2 infections, DVT screening at days 5-10 of admission yielded a 32% prevalence of VTE. Seventy-five percent of events occurred before screening. Earlier screening might be effective in optimizing care in ICU patients with COVID-19.