ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to describe the demographic data related to depression and dementia in elderly people in community. A total of 1,052 elderly people, 370 in urban area (Bangkok) and 682 in rural area (Ranong and Buriram provinces) were included. Data collection using TMSE and TGDS screening tests was done during December 1996-February 1998. Descriptive and analytic statistics were computed. Results showed that demographic data of urban and rural elderly people were similar. The prevalences of depression in elderly living in urban, rural and overall were 35.1 %, 17-19 %, and 24.1% respectively while those of dementia group were 27.6 %, 33-37 % and 32.8 % respectively. A positive relationship was found between depression and dementia in the studied population. Our data suggest that age, health status and the elderly’s role of consultant contribute substantially to cognitive and mental test scores. We can use these factors to generate conditions that promote quality of life in the elderly.
ABSTRACT
A study of grip strength, pinch strength and quadriceps strength in elderly Thai people at the Geriatric Clinic, Siriraj Hospital, was carried out. One hundred and sixty two elderlies, 63 males and 99 females with a mean age xฑSD of 70ฑ6 years, were evaluated by using a hand dynamometer, pinch gauge and leg dynamometer. The grip and pinch strengths of the dominant hand differed from the non-dominant hand with a p value < 0.001. The quadriceps strength decreased significantly as the patient became older (p<0.05). Male patients had higher values of grip strength, pinch strength and quadriceps strength than females. The muscle strengths were not affected by the type and frequency of exercise. The grip strength, pinch strength and quadriceps strength decreased rapidly after the age of seventy and the decline was prone to be more rapid in males than in females. The normal values of the muscle strengths would be beneficial for early detection of neuromuscular diseases in the elderly.