Resumen

PEREZ MARTINEZ, Victor. Prevalence of demential syndrome in the population over 60. Rev Cubana Med Gen Integr [online]. 2004, vol.20, n.4. ISSN 0864-2125.

A descriptive study was conducted aimed at knowing the prevalence of cognoscitive deterioration in a group of aged patients from 3 family physicians' offices of "Ana Betancourt" Teaching Polyclinic. All the patients over 60 (303) entered into the study. Cognoscitive deterioration was observed in 49 of them with an estimated prevalence of 17,4 %. 41 were diagnosed demential syndrome with an average time of evolution of 2 years. 53.7 % of the patients with demential syndrome showed probable dementia in late onset Alzheimer's disease. 26,8 % presented a possible vascular dementia, whereas 19,5 % exhibited a probable mixed dementia.The degree of cognoscitive deterioration had a relation with the probable diagnosis causing demential syndrome. The mental deterioration degree proved to be higher in the elderly suffering from probable dementia in late onset Alzheimer's disease.

Palabras clave : Prevalence; cognoscitive; probable; Alzheimer.