Abstract

MARQUES, A.; RODRIGUEZ, J. P.  and  CAMACHO, O. L.. Prevalence of cognitive decline in people older than 70 years admitted in an Internal Medicine Service. An. Med. Interna (Madrid) [online]. 2004, vol.21, n.3, pp.27-29. ISSN 0212-7199.

Background: Cognitive decline in older people is an important cause of burden for caregivers and assistance staff. It is a poor prognosis marker that favors the onset of different geriatric syndromes and increases the risk of institutionalization. As some causes of cognitive decline can be treated, its early diagnosis is fundamental for patients and caregivers. This, help us to design a care plan and a future follow up. The objective of this article is to measure the prevalence of Cognitive Decline before the onset of the acute disease that led patients older than 70 years, to an admission at the Internal Medicine Service. Patients and methods: a prospective randomized study was performed in the Internal Medicine Service of the Hospital de Mataro, which included 100 patients older than 70 years. Presence of Cognitive Decline was evaluated through the Blessed Scale during the previous month of the onset of the disease that motivated the admission. Results: 43% of the patients had Cognitive Decline (42% male and 44% female). The prevalence of CD in patients older than 80 years was over 60%. Conclusions: Many of the admitted patients of an Internal Medicine Service older than 70 years had criteria for Cognitive Decline before the onset of the acute disease. Its diagnosis, study and therapeutic plan before the patient's discharge is a great opportunity to improve the quality of assistance.

Keywords : Cognitive decline; Prevalence; Older people; Quality of assistance.

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