Table 1 Patient characteristics according to NECPAL tool variables

Choice/request for PC

0 (0%)

14 (13.3%)

38 (39.2%)

52 (22%)

< 0.001

Need for PC

5 (14.7%)

51 (48.6%)

89 (91.8%)

145 (61.4%)

< 0.001

Weight loss > 10%

4 (20%)

34 (50.7%)

45 (60%)

83 (51.2%)

0.006

Barthel Index < 20

5 (17.2%)

27 (29.3%)

47 (50.5%)

79 (36.9%)

0.001

Loss ≥ 2 ADL

6 (22.2%)

44 (58.7%)

61 (73.5%)

111 (60%)

< 0.001

Functional decline*

5 (20%)

55 (67.9%)

71 (81.6%)

131 (67.9%)

< 0.001

Ulcers

0 (0%)

12 (11.7%)

9 (9.4%)

21 (9.1%)

ns

Recurrent infections

7 (24.1%)

41 (43.6%)

40 (44%)

88 (41.1%)

ns

Delirium

4 (11.8%)

21 (22.6%)

26 (29.9%)

51 (23.8%)

ns

Persistent dysphagia

0 (0%)

13 (13.5%)

23 (26.4%)

36 (17%)

0.002

Falls > 2

3 (17.6%)

14 (20.6%)

7 (10.8%)

24 (16%)

ns

≥ 2 admissions‡

10 (35.7%)

28 (31.5%)

41 (48.8%)

79 (39.3%)

ns

Complex care^§

6 (18.2%)

45 (43.3%)

47 (49%)

98 (42.1%)

0.008

Charlson Index ≥ 2

23 (67.6%)

74 (70.5%)

71 (73.2%)

168 (71.2%)

ns

Albumin ≥ 2.5 g/dl

2 (7.7%)

15 (17.2%)

16 (19.8%)

33 (17%)

ns