Clinical Interventions in Aging (Feb 2018)
Prevalence of geriatric syndromes among people aged 65 years and older at four community clinics in Moscow
Abstract
Olga N Tkacheva,1 Nadezda K Runikhina,1 Valentina S Ostapenko,1 Natalia V Sharashkina,1 Elen A Mkhitaryan,1,2 Julia S Onuchina,1 Sergei N Lysenkov,1,3 Nikolai N Yakhno,2 Yan Press4–6 1Pirogov Russian National Medical University, The Russian Clinical Research Center for Gerontology, Moscow, Russia; 2Neurology Department, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia; 3Department of Evolution, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia; 4Department of Family Medicine, Siaal Research Center for Family Medicine and Primary Care, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel; 5Yasski Clinic, Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment Unit, Clalit Health Services, Beer-Sheva, Israel; 6Unit for Community Geriatrics, Division of Health in the Community, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel Background: Geriatric syndromes (GSs) are common in older adults and have a significant effect on their quality of life, disability, and use of health care resources. Few studies have assessed the prevalence of GSs in Russia. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of GSs among older adults living in the community in Moscow. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in four community clinics in Moscow. A total of 1,220 patients completed a screening questionnaire, and 356 of them also underwent a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA). Results: The mean age of the 1,220 participants was 74.9±6.1 years; 75.5% were women. Based on the questionnaire, 58.3% reported visual or hearing impairment, 58.2% cognitive impairment, 46% mood disorder, 42% difficulty walking, 28.3% urinary incontinence, 21.3% traumatic falls (over the previous year), and 12.2% weight loss. The mean number of GSs per patient was 2.9±1.5. Based on CGA, a decline in Instrumental Activity of Daily Living score was identified in 34.8% of the patients, a risk of malnutrition (Mini-Nutritional Assessment score, 17–23.5) in 25.8%, probable cognitive impairment (Mini-Mental State Examination score <25) in 8.6%, and symptoms of depression (15-item Geriatric Depression Scale score >5) in 36.2%. On the whole, patients demonstrated good mobility (average walking speed, 1±0.2 m/s) and hand grip strength (23.9±6.4 kg in women and 39.1±8.3 kg in men), but poor balance (only 39.4% were able to maintain their balance on one leg for 10 s or more). Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate a high prevalence of GSs among community-dwelling people aged 65 years and older in Moscow. The results provide a better understanding of the needs of older adults in Russia and can facilitate planning for medical and social assistance for this population. Keywords: geriatric syndromes, comprehensive geriatric assessment, questionnaire, community-dwelling, Russia
