Investigation of the current situation of geriatric syndromes in the elderly with different age and gender / 中华老年医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To get the information about the geriatric syndromes in the elderly with different age and gender so as to provide the basis for management of the geriatric syndromes.Methods A questionnaire survey was used to investigate and analyze the geriatric syndromes in 2 778 older subjects aged 60 years and above from Zhejiang and Jiangsu province.Results Among all 2 778 old adults,(3.4 ± 1.8)geriatric syndromes in average were found.The difference in geriatric syndromes number between different age groups showed a statistical significance(F =145.135,P＜ 0.001),but a significant difference in geriatric syndromes number between male and female group was not found(t=0.817,P=0.414).On the top incidence rate of geriatric syndromes were daily life ability defects 2 199 cases(79.2％),falls 1 828 cases(65.8％),urinary incontinence 1 356 cases(48.8％),sleeping disorder 1 023 cases(36.8 ％),cognitive impairment 908 cases (32.7 ％) and visual impairment 896 cases (32.3 ％).Among above six geriatric syndromes,the incidence of daily life ability defects,falls,urinary incontinence,sleeping disorder and cognitive impairment seemed to increase with ageing (P＜0.001).The incidence of daily life ability defects,falls and urinary incontinence was higher in males than in females (P＜ 0.05).The incidence of sleeping disorder and cognitive impairment was higher in females than in males(P＜0.05).The elderly patients with 3 or more geriatric syndromes exceeded about 66.4 ％.The most common clusters of geriatric syndromes were daily life ability defects combined with falls and urinary incontinence,which seemed to significantly increase along with ageing (x2=202.523,P＜0.001).Conclusions Geriatric syndromes are common in the elderly,medical care workers should pay attention to the management of the geriatric syndromes,and promote the development of the elderly healthcare.