Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Background
Previous studies have indicated a prevalence of dementia in older admissions of ?42% in a single London teaching hospital, and 21% in four Queensland hospitals. However, there is a lack of published data from any European country on the prevalence of dementia across hospitals and between patient groups.Objective
To determine the prevalence and associations of dementia in older patients admitted to acute hospitals in Ireland.Methods
Six hundred and six patients aged ?70 years were recruited on admission to six hospitals in Cork County. Screening consisted of Standardised Mini-Mental State Examination (SMMSE); patients with scores <27/30 had further assessment with the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE). Final expert diagnosis was based on SMMSE, IQCODE and relevant medical and demographic history. Patients were screened for delirium and depression, and assessed for co-morbidity, functional ability and nutritional status.Results
Of 598 older patients admitted to acute hospitals, 25% overall had dementia; with 29% in public hospitals. Prevalence varied between hospitals (P < 0.001); most common in rural hospitals and acute medical admissions. Only 35.6% of patients with dementia had a previous diagnosis. Patients with dementia were older and frailer, with higher co-morbidity, malnutrition and lower functional status (P < 0.001). Delirium was commonly superimposed on dementia (57%) on admission.Conclusion
Dementia is common in older people admitted to acute hospitals, particularly in acute medical admissions, and rural hospitals, where services may be less available. Most dementia is not previously diagnosed, emphasising the necessity for cognitive assessment in older people on presentation to hospital.
SUBMITTER: Timmons S
PROVIDER: S-EPMC4621233 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Nov
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Timmons Suzanne S Manning Edmund E Barrett Aoife A Brady Noeleen M NM Browne Vanessa V O'Shea Emma E Molloy David William DW O'Regan Niamh A NA Trawley Steven S Cahill Suzanne S O'Sullivan Kathleen K Woods Noel N Meagher David D Ni Chorcorain Aoife M AM Linehan John G JG
Age and ageing 20150928 6
<h4>Background</h4>Previous studies have indicated a prevalence of dementia in older admissions of ∼42% in a single London teaching hospital, and 21% in four Queensland hospitals. However, there is a lack of published data from any European country on the prevalence of dementia across hospitals and between patient groups.<h4>Objective</h4>To determine the prevalence and associations of dementia in older patients admitted to acute hospitals in Ireland.<h4>Methods</h4>Six hundred and six patients ...[more]