Abstract

GOMEZ VIERA, Nelson et al. Caracterización clínica de pacientes con deterioro cognitivo. Rev cubana med [online]. 2003, vol.42, n.1, pp.12-17. ISSN 0034-7523.

It is known that the rise of life expectancy of the population has caused an increase in the frequency of diseases appearing at advanced ages. It is important to investigate the cognitive deterioration, since it affects the quality of life of patients and generates high costs for the family and the society. A descriptive prospective study was conducted from February 1st, 1998, to February 28th, 1999. Folstein’s Minimental State was applied to 286 subjects over 65 from 3 family physician’s offices of the "Primero de Enero" Polyclinic, in Playa municipality, Havana City, to determine the frequency of cognitive deterioration and some clinical characteristics of the affected patients. It was found a frequency of cognitive deterioration of 9.4 %. The highest percentage of patients were from the age group 85-89 (33.3 %). Females were the most affected (70.3 %) and it was observed a predominance of primary educational level (66.6 %) among the patients. Smoking (29.6 %) and arterial hypertension (25.9 %) were the fundamental risk factors. Memory was the most affected cognitive function. 63.0 %of the patients had a mild degree of cognitive deterioration and a slight degree of functional disability.

Keywords : EXPECTANCY; QUALITY OF LIFE; AGED; RISK FACTORS; DEMENTIA [epidemiology]; COGNITIVE DISORDERS; ALZHEIMER DISEASE [epidemiology].

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