Table 1 Definition of co-morbidities

Cardiac disease

Known history of ischemic heart disease, previous cardiac interventions for ischemic heart disease

Malignancy

Currently under oncological follow up for active oncological disease

Diabetes mellitus

Patient requiring insulin or oral hypoglycemic therapy

Neurological disease

History of cerebrovascular accident, severe parkinsonism or antiepileptic therapy

Dementia

A patient with an established diagnosis of dementia

Hypertension

History of hypertension requiring medication

Chronic anticoagulation

Patients currently on anticoagulation (low molecular weight heparin or Warfarin), and anti-platelet therapy (excluding aspirin)

Chronic renal failure

Preexisting renal insufficiency on admission

Chronic pulmonary disease

Ongoing treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma