[Prevalence of dementia in geriatric patients].
BACKGROUND
dementia in geriatric patients is a condition commonly undiagnosed in primary care.


OBJECTIVE
to identify the prevalence of dementia in geriatric patients in primary care clinics of Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social.


METHODS
a descriptive study was conducted in four family medicine clinics (FMC) located in Guadalupe, Nuevo León. 226 geriatric patients were consecutively chosen. The Mini Mental test served to ascertain dementia and its associated conditions were also explored.


RESULTS
the prevalence of dementia was 3.5 % in adults from 60 years and older (men 1.2%; women 2.3 %, p < 0.015); 30.5% of interviewees had mild cognitive impairment. The prevalence of dementia in each participating clinic was as follows: FMC 27 (7 %), FMC 29 (0 %), FMC 30 (1.78 %) and FMC 32 (5.2 %).


CONCLUSIONS
the prevalence of dementia increases with age and among women is more frequent; mild cognitive impairment was found highly prevalent. Family physicians should identify this condition to be able to provide integrated medical care to the elderly. This will improve the quality of care provided in family medicine clinics for this age group.
Alanís-Niño
Gerardo
G
Unidad de Medicina Familiar 32, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Guadalupe, Nuevo León.
Garza-Marroquín
Jessica Vanessa
JV
González-Arellano
Andrés
A
D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003704:Dementia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D017678:Sex Distribution