[Prevalence of cognitive deterioration in a geriatric urban population].

A descriptive study was carried out in Salt (Gerona) to evaluate the prevalence of cognitive impairment in a geriatric urban population and its relation with several variables which might have an influence on it. The cognitive status was evaluated with the score in the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). A representative sample of 392 individuals was obtained out of an overall population of 2,394 registered persons above 65 years of age; 354 of them were interviewed. The overall rate of intellectual deterioration (MMSE less than 24) was 26.5%, and it was 8% for the important deterioration (MMSE less than 18). The presence of cognitive impairment was significantly correlated in multivariate analysis with advanced age, low educational level and limited personal autonomy.