[Functional and cognitive capacity in elderly patients admitted to a general Internal Medicine Service].
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the clinical characteristics, grade of physical and cognitive dependence and social coverage of patients of 64 years who are admitted to and Internal Medicine Service.


METHODS
A total of 105 patients (63 females, 42 males) older than 64 years admitted over 2 months in a General Internal Medicine Unit of a tertiary University Hospital were studied.


RESULTS
Fifty nine patients (56%) were 80 years or older. Pulmonary, cardiac and gastrointestinal problems were the main reasons for admission. A total of 80% of patients had comorbid conditions with a Charlson index of 2.7 +/- 1.4. Mean Barthel index before admission was 71+/-35. More than one third of the patients had cognitive impairment (MMSE <23/35). Social aid was received by 18% of patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients aged 80 or older with cardiopulmonary disease and moderate comorbidity grade are frequently admitted to our General Internal Medicine Unit. Physical and cognitive dependence is observed in a significant number of our inpatients, but the uses of social-health services are still low in our area.
Martínez
J M Olmos
JM
Departamento de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, España.
Riera
B Espina
BE
Ibarbia
C García
CG
Díaz de Lamadrid
C Valero
CV
Macías
J Gonzalez
JG
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003071:Cognition; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007388:Internal Medicine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D012947:Social Work; D013030:Spain