Resumen

FERNANDEZ GUERRA, Natalia  y  GONZALEZ ESCUDERO, Hilda. Vascular risk factors and cognitive function of the elderly in homes and in the community . Rev cubana med [online]. 2008, vol.47, n.1. ISSN 0034-7523.

A clinicoepidemiological, descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted among 250 older adults, 125 from the community and 125 from institutions (homes for the aged) of the municipalities of Centro Habana and Habana Vieja, aimed at identifying the cognitive state of these patients and at determining the relation between the vascular risk factors and the cognitive function. All of them took part in a survey that included age, sex, origin and whether they suffered from arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemias, ischemic heart disease and toxic habits, such as smoking. The cognitive function was measured by Folstein's Minimental State Examination. 3 categories were recognized: undamaged, deteriorated and insane according to the score attained. The variables were processed by statistical procedures established and designed by experts of this discipline. Tables and graphs were shown for a better understanding. It was observed that 50.0 % of the total were undamaged; 37.1 %, deteriorated; and 12.9 %, insane. Of the 125 from the community, 4.0 % were insane; 31.0 %, deteriorated; and 64.8 %, undamaged. The highest percentage of insanes was observed among diabetics and hypertensives. 50.0 % of the studied patients presented cognitive dysfunction, whereas most of the patients with cognitive deterioration were from the institutions (homes for the aged).

Palabras clave : Cognitive function; vascular risk factors; elderly.

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