Prognostic Value of Functional-Nutritional Status in Older Adults With Acute Coronary Syndrome

This study aims to find out whether reduced everyday functioning before the acute illness and malnutrition help predict health outcomes in adults aged 65 years and older hospitalized with acute coronary syndrome (heart attack or unstable angina). About 270 patients (no more than 330) will be enrolled in two hospitals in Samara, Russia. After their condition has stabilized, and within seven days of admission, researchers will ask patients (or a caregiver) about their everyday functioning before the illness. They will also measure weight, height and calf circumference, ask about recent weight loss and food intake, and use a short questionnaire to screen for risk of malnutrition. With separate consent, two extra tubes of blood (11 mL in total) will be taken during a routine hospital blood draw, without an additional needle stick, so that albumin and C-reactive protein can be measured later. Information about the illness and its treatment will be collected from medical records. Participants will be followed for one year for death, heart attack, ischemic stroke and unplanned hospitalization for heart or vascular conditions. Their ability to perform everyday activities will be assessed again between days 366 and 395 after enrollment. This is an observational study: participation does not change the medical treatment patients receive.