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Functional geriatric assessment in patients living in their own environment


Authors: J. Matějovský;  H. Matějovská Kubešová;  H. Meluzínová
Published in: Geriatrie a Gerontologie 2012, 1, č. 2: 65-70
Category: Original Article/Study

Overview

Newly developed methods allow radical interventions in seniors as well. Because of that there is very important to save as much as possible the independence of seniors to be able to profit from these modern approaches. The aim of this work was to establish the influence of selected factors on the results of comprehensive geriatric assessment. Seniors living in their owm environement were examined in cooperation with GPs and geriatric out-patient clinic of Faculty hospital Brno according to unified protocol containing functional geriatric assessment, list of diagnoses, list of regularly used medications and laboratory examination. Results were tested statistically – Student T-test, X2 test and regression analysis.

Together 161 seniors, 61 men and 100 women underwent the examination. The average age was 73,2 ± 6,5 years ranging from 65 to 92 years. The average number of diseases was 4,4 ± 2,2, ranging from 0 to 11 diagnoses, the average number of regularly used medications was 4,1 ± 2,5 kinds of drugs. The lack of any of studied micronutrients was found in 44,7 % of patients, these seniors showed significantly worse results of functional geriatric assessment.

Dementia (MMSE < 25 points) was found in 18 patients (11,1 %) of studied group, but in 5 (3,1 %) only was this diagnosis listed in patient´s documentation. The relationsship between MMSE and independence parameters ADL, IADL was expectadly significant r = 0,60, 0,55 resp. Similar situation appeared in depression as well – we found 30 (18,6 %) depressive patients, but 4 only were diagnosed and treated before. Depressive patiens showed significantly lower score in MMSE, ADL and IADL. The metabolic syndrome influenced mostly the IADL.

Our results showed significant influence of studied parameters (micronutrients deficiency, dementia, depression, metabolic syndrome) on the overall health status and independente of seniors. Dementia and depression are frequently underdiagnosed in seniors living in their own environment. As a part of regular examination of seniors there is advisable to find actively micronutrients lack, signs of cognitive impairment, depression, metabolic syndrome and to intervene them effectively to support and keep the independency.

Key words:
seniors – functional geriatric assessment – independency – micronutrients – dementia – depression – metabolic syndrome


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