A multidimensional approach to older patients during COVID-19 pandemic: a position paper of the Special Interest Group on Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment of the European Geriatric Medicine Society (EuGMS)
Authors: Pilotto Alberto , Custodero Carlo , Palmer Katie , Sanchez-Garcia Elisabet Maria , Topinkova Eva , Polidori Maria Cristina ,   The Members of the Special Interest Group on Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment of the EuGMS (European Geriatric Medicine Society), Alves Mariana , Barbagallo Mario , Benzinger Petra , Berg Nicolas , Brach Julie , Cardoso Irwin , Caudal Maela , Cella Alberto , Chefi Ben , Ciurea Annette , Cornejo Lingan Ana Maria , Cotobal Rodeles Santiago , Cruz-Jentoft Alfonso , Curiale Vito , Danielova Libuse , Davies Franco , De Groot Aafke , De Groot Cathrine , De Lepeleire Jan , De Vries Benjamin , Decock Anne-Marie , de Jong Sanne , Denkinger Michael , Dikmeer Ayse , Dini Simone , Durand Amaury , Fatin Ami , Fernandes Marilia , Ferrara Nicola , Ferrucci Luigi , Francis Bahaa , Fratiglioni Laura , Freiberger Ellen , Galvin Rose , Garmendia Blanca , Gillain Sophie , Goodwin Vicky , Gomez Pavon Javier , Goudzwaard J. A. , Greco Antonio , Gruner Heidi , Gunther Bernd , Happe Lisa , Hermush Vered , Huibregtse Bimmel Jan-Kees , Indiano Ilaria , Isaak Julia , Jaramillo Javier , Kerminen Hanna , Kumlehn Barbara , Laocha Ni Aoife , Lau Sandra , Lietzen Lone , Lozano Isabel , Madeira Sarmento Ana Teresa , Maggi Stefania , Mangoni Arduino A. , da Silva Pedro Marques , Mars Patricia , Matejovska-Kubesova Hana , Mattace-Raso Francesco , Moeskops Simone , Molnar Andrea , Musacchio Clarissa , Nagaratnam Kiruba , Nieminen Uomo , O’Connor Margaret , Kayhan Koçak Fatma Özge , Paccalin Marc , Palikhe Anil , Pavic Tajana , Nordnes Raymond Per , Platon Izabela , Polinder Harmke , Prada Gabriel , Ragnheim Ragnhild , Ramsawak Lisa , Rewiuk Krzysztof , Rodrigues Carlos , Roller-Wirnsberger Regina , Rossinen Juhani , Ruotolo Giovanni , Ruppe Georg , Ryan Dan , Sabbà Carlo , Sanchez-Garcia Elisabet Maria , Sarmento Goncalos , Savas Sumru , Schmid Veronika , Schroderus Kaisa , Siegrist Monica , Smedberg Daniel , Smit Orla , Soulis George , Tampaki Maria , Tenkattelaar Natasia , Thiem Ulrich , Tromp Jorien , Van Beek Michiel , Van Heijningen Lars , Vandeelen Bob , Vanderhulst Heleen , van der Velde Nathalie , Vankova Hana , Verissimo Rafaela , Veronese Nicola , Verri Filippo , Vonk Merel , Vrabie Calin , Wearing Paul , Weiss Michael , Welmer Anna-Karin , Werle Berenice , Ylmaz Ozlem , Zaidi Muhammad Shoaib , Zamfir Mihaela , Zanom Ilo , Zuidhof Jen 
Published: January 2023

Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a dramatic trigger that has challenged the intrinsic capacity of older adults and of society. Due to the consequences for the older population worldwide, the Special Interest Group on Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) of the European Geriatric Medicine Society (EuGMS) took the initiative of collecting evidence on the usefulness of the CGA-based multidimensional approach to older people during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

A narrative review of the most relevant articles published between January 2020 and November 2022 that focused on the multidimensional assessment of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Results

Current evidence supports the critical role of the multidimensional approach to identify older adults hospitalized with COVID-19 at higher risk of longer hospitalization, functional decline, and short-term mortality. This approach appears to also be pivotal for the adequate stratification and management of the post-COVID condition as well as for the adoption of preventive measures (e.g., vaccinations, healthy lifestyle) among non-infected individuals.

Conclusion

Collecting information on multiple health domains (e.g., functional, cognitive, nutritional, social status, mobility, comorbidities, and polypharmacy) provides a better understanding of the intrinsic capacities and resilience of older adults affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection. The EuGMS SIG on CGA endorses the adoption of the multidimensional approach to guide the clinical management of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.