Detection of cognitive impairment and risk factors in resident patients of the Instituto Geriátrico Madre Teresa (Granadero Baigorria, Santa Fe, Argentina), year 2023

Abstract

Introduction: In recent decades, an unprecedented demographic shift has occurred, resulting in a profound transformation in the composition of the world's population. One of the most outstanding aspects is the remarkable increase in the geriatric population, driven by factors such as the increase in life expectancy. This also implies pathologies typical of advanced age, such as cognitive impairment.
Objective: To identify the frequency of cognitive impairment among the residents of the "Mother Teresa" Geriatric Institute and to analyze the existence of an association between the demographic and clinical characteristics of each patient.
Materials and methods: Through a cognitive evaluation carried out on resident patients using the "Mini Mental Folstein" test, the detection of cognitive impairment was approached. This was complemented by an exhaustive review of the patients' clinical histories, analyzing demographic and clinical variables.
Results: Out of 30 patients analyzed, 20 of them presented cognitive impairment. Among the risk factors, only depression proved to be more associated with cognitive impairment.
Conclusions: It was possible to identify that there was a high frequency of resident patients who presented cognitive impairment. Also, most of these patients were diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Among the clinical characteristics of the patients who presented cognitive impairment, a large percentage presented associated depression.
However, it is important to keep in mind that these results are based on a limited study with a small number of patients. Further research and large-scale studies are needed to confirm and extend these findings. Even so, the research carried out collaborates and enriches local knowledge of the subject, which currently presents a deficit of information and relevance in our environment.