[Influence of socio-health variables on the cognitive state of mind of the geriatric patients of a health centre].
BACKGROUND
To determine the influence of age, education, admission in nursing homes and chronic diseases (arterial hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidaemia, anxiety and depression) on the cognitive state of the population over 65 years of age.


METHODS
A study was made of a geriatric outpatient population (patients living at home or institutionalised) with chronic diseases, who showed cognitive deterioration and depressive symptoms. The cognitive mini-exam (CME) and the geriatric depression scale (Yesavage) were administered.


RESULTS
One hundred and forty-seven patients participated, with an average age of 71.4 years and a similar proportion of men (74; 50.3%) and women (73; 49.7%). Thirty-four subjects (23.1%) were living in nursing homes. The most prevalent diseases were hypertension (50%), anxiety-insomnia (30%), diabetes (22%), arthrosis (22%), depression (13%) and hypercholesterolaemia (12%). Half of the patients (79; 53.7%) were following treatment with more than three medicines; 60 (40.6%) with between two and three medicines, and only 8 (5.5%) were taking no medication. The percentage of subjects living in an institution increased with age. The consumption of medicines was also higher amongst the more elderly. The scores on the cognitive scale (CME) decrease with age and were also lower amongst subjects who live in institutions (above all if they suffer from depression). The patients who took psychotropics had lower scores on the CME. Although performances on the CME are lower amongst subjects with a low level of education, the differences do not reach statistical significance. The presence of hyperlipidaemia also decreased the results of the CME.


CONCLUSIONS
The socio-health factors that altered performance negatively in the cognitive mini-exam are advanced age and institutionalisation. These results are also significantly influenced by depressive disease, hyperlipidaemia and the consumption of medicines that affect the cognitive state.
Hervás
A
A
Centro de Salud de Tafalla, Navarra, Spain. adolhervas@hotmail.com
Arizcuren
M A
MA
García de Jalón
E
E
Tiberio
G
G
Forcén
T
T
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
Influencia de variables socio-sanitarias en la situación del estado cognitivo y de ánimo en los pacientes geriátricos de un centro de salud.