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ORIGINAL ARTICLE: EPIDEMIOLOGY CLINICAL PRACTICE AND HEALTH

Prognostic value of the electronic Multimorbidity Frailty Index for mortality, change in basic activities of daily living, length of hospital stay and discharge home in older hospitalized patients

Kenji Toyoshima

Corresponding Author

Kenji Toyoshima

Department of Diabetes, Metabolism, and Endocrinology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan

Center for Comprehensive Care and Research for Prefrailty, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan

Correspondence

Kenji Toyoshima MD, PhD, Department of Diabetes, Metabolism, and Endocrinology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, 35-2 Sakae-cho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-0015, Japan. Email: [email protected]

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Atsushi Araki

Atsushi Araki

Department of Diabetes, Metabolism, and Endocrinology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan

Center for Comprehensive Care and Research for Prefrailty, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan

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Yoshiaki Tamura

Yoshiaki Tamura

Department of Diabetes, Metabolism, and Endocrinology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan

Center for Comprehensive Care and Research for Prefrailty, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan

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Joji Ishikawa

Joji Ishikawa

Center for Comprehensive Care and Research for Prefrailty, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan

Department of Cardiology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan

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Rika Iwakiri

Rika Iwakiri

Department of Geriatric Medicine, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan

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Takashi Takei

Takashi Takei

Department of Nephrology and Dialysis, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan

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Kanae Kubo

Kanae Kubo

Department of Medicine and Rheumatology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan

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Satoshi Ono

Satoshi Ono

Department of Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan

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Shigesaburo Miyakoshi

Shigesaburo Miyakoshi

Department of Hematology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan

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Ryoji Tanei

Ryoji Tanei

Department of Dermatology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan

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Yutaka Kasuya

Yutaka Kasuya

Department of Urology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan

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Mitsuhiro Kawata

Mitsuhiro Kawata

Department of Cardiovascular surgery, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan

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Shigehiko Takanashi

Shigehiko Takanashi

Department of Neurosurgery, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan

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Kenta Ohara

Kenta Ohara

Department of Neurosurgery, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan

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Tsuyoshi Miyazaki

Tsuyoshi Miyazaki

Department of Orthopedic, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan

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Nobuo Kanazawa

Nobuo Kanazawa

Department of General and Gastrointestinal Surgery, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan

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Tetsuya Nakazato

Tetsuya Nakazato

Department of General and Gastrointestinal Surgery, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan

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Hiroshi Yamamoto

Hiroshi Yamamoto

Department of Respiratory Medicine, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan

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Atsushi Iwata

Atsushi Iwata

Department of Neurology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan

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Kazumasa Harada

Kazumasa Harada

Department of Cardiology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan

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Masaki Anraku

Masaki Anraku

Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan

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Hiroyuki Sasai

Hiroyuki Sasai

Research Team for Promoting Independence and Mental Health, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan

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Shuichi Obuchi

Shuichi Obuchi

Human Care Research Team, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan

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Yoshinori Fujiwara

Yoshinori Fujiwara

Center for Comprehensive Care and Research for Prefrailty, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan

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Masahiro Akishita

Masahiro Akishita

Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan

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Kenji Toba

Kenji Toba

Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan

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First published: 17 July 2025

Abstract

Aim

This exploratory study aimed to evaluate the ability of the electronic Multimorbidity Frailty Index, consisting of 35 chronic conditions, including chronic diseases, geriatric syndromes and functional limitations from electronic medical record data, to predict clinical outcomes in hospitalized older adults.

Methods

Our study included 1491 patients aged ≥60 years who were admitted to an acute care hospital. Multimorbidity status was categorized based on the number of chronic conditions included in the electronic Multimorbidity Frailty Index: 0–2 as no or mild, 3–4 as moderate, 5–9 as high and ≥10 as very high multimorbidity. We evaluated the association between multimorbidity categories and clinical outcomes: in-hospital mortality, improvement in basic activities of daily living, extended hospital stay and discharge destination. The hazard ratio (HR) or odds ratio (OR) was calculated using multivariable Cox or logistic regression analyses after adjustment for age, sex and basic activities of daily living score at admission as a reference for no or mild multimorbidity.

Results

Very high multimorbidity was significantly associated with increased in-hospital mortality (HR 3.10, 95% CI 1.28–7.51), less basic activities of daily living improvement (HR 0.51, 95% CI 0.37–0.71), less home discharge for patients admitted from home (HR 0.61, 95% CI 0.44–0.85) and longer hospital stays (OR 2.11, 95% CI 1.34–3.33). High multimorbidity was also associated with extended hospital stay and less discharge to home.

Conclusion

The electronic Multimorbidity Frailty Index reflects the cumulative burden of chronic diseases, geriatric syndromes and limitations, and is associated with important clinical outcomes among hospitalized older adults. It might help identify patients at risk of poor prognosis, supporting appropriate medical treatment and care planning in clinical settings. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2025; ••: ••–••.

Data availability statement

The data supporting the findings of this study are available upon reasonable request from the corresponding author.

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