Characteristic analysis of 590 older adults with geriatric syndromes in Shanghai based on cluster analysis / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

ABSTRACT

Objective • To investigate the distribution of geriatric syndromes in older adults in order to provide reference for the care of different types of the elderly. Methods • This study described distribution of 13 geriatric syndromes of 590 older adults from 5 hospitals and 6 nursing homes in Shanghai based on k-means clustering. The data were collected by Chinese version of continuity assessment record and evaluation (CARE) between May and November 2017. Results • 97.8% of the 590 older adults suffered from at least 1 geriatric syndrome. The top 5 geriatric syndromes were impairment in activities of daily living (80.7%), cognitive impairment (80.5%), polypharmacy (44.7%), visual impairment (45.3%), and hearing impairment (42.9%). The results of k-means clustering showed that the geriatric syndrome was divided into 4 clusters. Cluster 1 (named high incidence group of geriatric syndromes) exhibited high prevalence of impairment in activities of daily living, cognitive impairment, visual impairment, hearing impairment and delirium. On average, each older adult had 5.6±1.1 geriatric syndromes. Cluster 2 (named extremely high group) exhibited the highest prevalence of geriatric syndromes, excluding pain, depression and pressure ulcer. On average, each older adult had 8.3±1.1 geriatric syndromes. Cluster 3 was named low incidence group of geriatric syndromes, each older adult having 2.0±1.2 geriatric syndromes. The incidence of polypharmacy and fall was relatively high. Cluster 4 (named medium group) exhibited high prevalence of impairment in activities of daily living, cognitive impairment, polypharmacy, urinary incontinence and fall. On average, each older adult had 4.0±1.3 geriatric syndromes. Conclusion • Classification of geriatric syndromes is helpful to identify the high-risk older adults who may suffer certain patterns of geriatric syndromes, and thus to carry out targeted interventions.