A Pachołek1, A Krotos2, D Drwiła3, Z Kalarus4, K Piotrowicz5, J Gąsowski5, T Tomasik1. 1. Department of Family Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow. 2. Department of Internal Medicine, Ludwik Rydygier's Poviat Hospital, Brzesko. 3. Department of Coronary Disease and Heart Failure, John Paul II Hospital. 4. Department of Gastroenterology, 5th Military Clinical Hospital. 5. Department of Internal Medicine and Gerontology, Jagiellonian University Medical College Krakow, Poland.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA), as a complex diagnostic process, allows medical specialists to recognize the capabilities and limitations of the patient in older age. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and severity of deficits typical of seniors and find relationships between CGA results and selected factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire study was performed in Krakow among patients aged 65 years and over visiting their general practitioners (GPs). CGA was conducted using eight scales: the Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Mini-Mental State Examination, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), Geriatric Depression Scale, Timed Up and Go Test, Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form, Clinical Frailty Scale, and Athens Insomnia Scale. RESULTS: Four hundred and thirty-eight patients, aged between 65 and 96 years, were examined. Most of them received high scores in the assessed aspects. The most common abnormalities were sleep disorders (42 %), symptoms of frailty (33 %), and depressive tendency (32 %). Age correlated with every aspect assessed in CGA and worsened as patients grew older (in all cases p <0.05). Male gender reduced the chance of depressive disorders [odds ratio (OR) =0.6 (0.39-0.92); p =0.02]. The strongest association was found between ADL and IADL scales [OR =153.56 (34.86-676.48); p <0.001]. CONCLUSIONS: Even though patients who attended general practices were functioning well in everyday life, after analysis, they manifested deficits in some areas of CGA. The most widespread problems in the geriatric population were depressive symptoms, frailty, and insomnia, and that is why GPs should ask about sleep and mood disorders during visits and assess the occurrence of frailty. HIPPOKRATIA 2020, 24(4): 173-181. Copyright 2020, Hippokratio General Hospital of Thessaloniki.
BACKGROUND: Comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA), as a complex diagnostic process, allows medical specialists to recognize the capabilities and limitations of the patient in older age. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and severity of deficits typical of seniors and find relationships between CGA results and selected factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire study was performed in Krakow among patients aged 65 years and over visiting their general practitioners (GPs). CGA was conducted using eight scales: the Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Mini-Mental State Examination, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), Geriatric Depression Scale, Timed Up and Go Test, Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form, Clinical Frailty Scale, and Athens Insomnia Scale. RESULTS: Four hundred and thirty-eight patients, aged between 65 and 96 years, were examined. Most of them received high scores in the assessed aspects. The most common abnormalities were sleep disorders (42 %), symptoms of frailty (33 %), and depressive tendency (32 %). Age correlated with every aspect assessed in CGA and worsened as patients grew older (in all cases p <0.05). Male gender reduced the chance of depressive disorders [odds ratio (OR) =0.6 (0.39-0.92); p =0.02]. The strongest association was found between ADL and IADL scales [OR =153.56 (34.86-676.48); p <0.001]. CONCLUSIONS: Even though patients who attended general practices were functioning well in everyday life, after analysis, they manifested deficits in some areas of CGA. The most widespread problems in the geriatric population were depressive symptoms, frailty, and insomnia, and that is why GPs should ask about sleep and mood disorders during visits and assess the occurrence of frailty. HIPPOKRATIA 2020, 24(4): 173-181. Copyright 2020, Hippokratio General Hospital of Thessaloniki.
Entities:
Keywords:
Central Europe; General practitioner; comprehensive geriatric assessment; primary care; seniors
Authors: S G Parker; P McCue; K Phelps; A McCleod; S Arora; K Nockels; S Kennedy; H Roberts; S Conroy Journal: Age Ageing Date: 2018-01-01 Impact factor: 10.668
Authors: Annemarie de Vos; Jane-Murray Cramm; Jeroen D H van Wijngaarden; Ton J E M Bakker; Johan P Mackenbach; Anna P Nieboer Journal: Int J Health Plann Manage Date: 2016-09-29