[Advance care planning and use of health resources among COVID-19 nursing home patients in an integrated health care program for frail elders]. / Planificación anticipada de los cuidados y del uso de recursos hospitalarios en pacientes con COVID-19 en un programa de atención integrada para adultos mayores frágiles en residencias.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the magnitude and importance of a process of stratification and advance care planning and the use of health resources, among patients in an integrated health care program for frail elderls in nursing homes,that were referred to the hospital with COVID-19. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective cohort study of patients >64 years old with COVID-19 infection, in a health care program in nursing homes (from 3/15/2020 to 9/15/2020). The identification of patients with palliative needs, the performing and visible registration in electronic health records of the advance care planning and the use of intensive care were assessed. RESULTS: We included 374 COVID-19 patients. 88% were women, the median age was 88 years old. The 79% were patients with palliative needs, of which 68% had the advance care planning (P<.001) registered in the electronic health record. Only 1% of patients with palliative needs and severity criteria were admitted to the intensive care unit. Overall mortality was 25%. Of those who died, 74% had severity criteria (P<.001) and 90% had palliative needs (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Carrying out a care process based on identification of patients with palliative needs and advance care planning and a central and visible registration of advance care planning in health records, could improve the quality and safety of care and optimize the use of intensive care health resources at all times and especially in public health emergencies.

Geriatric co-management and interdisciplinary transitional care reduced hospital readmissions in frail older patients in Argentina: results from a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Hospitalization is a moment of extreme vulnerability for frail older adults. There is scarce evidence on the effectiveness of geriatric co-management or transitional care interventions in Latin America. AIMS: To assess whether geriatric co-management combined with an interdisciplinary transitional care intervention could reduce 30-day hospital readmission rate compared to usual care in hospitalized frail older patients in a tertiary hospital in Argentina. METHODS: Single-blinded randomized controlled trial. Usual care treatment arm: all procedures performed during hospitalization were overseen by a senior internal medicine specialist and complied with pre-defined protocols. Patients had access to specialist care if needed, as well as hospital-at-home or home-based primary care services after discharge. Intervention treatment arm: in addition to usual care, a geriatric co-management team performed a comprehensive geriatric assessment during hospitalization, provided tailored recommendations to minimize geriatric syndromes and planned transition of care. A health and social care counselor oversaw continuity of care in patients' homes after discharge. RESULTS: We included 120 participants in each of the intervention and usual care (control) arms. Thirty-day hospital readmissions were 47.7% lower in the intervention arm (18.3% vs 35.0%; P = 0.040); and emergency room visits within the first 6 months after discharge were 27.8% lower (43.3% vs 60.0%; P = 0.010). There was a non-statistically significant decrease in 6-month mortality in the intervention arm (25.0% vs 35.0%; P = 0.124). CONCLUSION: Geriatric co-management of frail older patients during hospitalization combined with an interdisciplinary transitional care intervention reduced 30-day hospital readmissions and emergency visits 6 months after discharge. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Trial registration number: RENIS IS003081.

Criterios de Beers para identificar el consumo de medicación potencialmente inapropiada: adaptación para su aplicación en Argentina / Beers criteria to identify the consumption of potentially inappropriate medication: adaptation for its application inArgentina

Introducción. Los Criterios de Beers son los más utilizados para evaluar el uso de medicación potencialmente inapropiada en grandes poblaciones, pero no contemplan algunos medicamentos de uso frecuente fuera de los EE.UU. Objetivo. Realizar una adaptación al contexto de Argentina de los Criterios de Beers publicados en 2019. Métodos. Fue elaborada una lista preliminar de medicación potencialmente inapropiada adaptada a la comercialización local, que luego fue consensuada por un panel de expertos (método Delphi). Resultados. De los 112 medicamentos originales listados en la tabla dos de los Criterios de Beers (en forma individual o como grupo), fueron excluidos 36 por no estar disponibles el país y fueron sumados 23 que no se comercializan en los EE.UU. pero sí en Argentina. Luego de dos rondas y de consensuar la suma a esta lista de dos grupos farmacológicos(antimigrañosos y vasodilatadores periféricos), fue acordado el agregado de picosulfato, bisacodilo, senósidos y cáscara sagrada como medicación potencialmente inapropiada en el grupo de agentes contra el estreñimiento, la fluoxetina entre los inhibidores selectivos de la recaptación de serotonina y el Ginkgo biloba como droga contra la demencia. También hubo consenso en advertir el riesgo de hipotensión ortostática asociado a la tamsulosina, en aconsejar la consideración de la carga anticolinérgica total del esquema terapéutico administrado y en recomendar al paracetamol como primera línea de tratamiento del dolor, asociado o no a opioides. Conclusiones. Contar con una versión de los Criterios de Beers 2019 adaptada al contexto de Argentina contribuirá al desarrollo y monitoreo de intervenciones para prevenir y reducir el consumo de medicación potencialmente inapropiada. (AU)

Introduction.The Beers Criteria is the most widely used criteria to assess the use of potentially inappropriate medication in large populations, but they do not include some medications that are frequently used outside the United States. Objective.To make an adaptation of the Beers Criteria published in 2019 to the context of Argentina. Methods. A preliminary list of potentially inappropriate medication adapted to local market and practice was designed, which was then agreed upon by a panel of experts (Delphi method). Results. Of the 112 original drugs in the table 2 of the Beers Criteria (individually or as a group), 36 were excluded because they were not available in Argentina and 23 locally marketed drugs but not in the US were included. After two rounds and agreeing to add two additional pharmacological groups to this list (antimigraine and peripheral vasodilators), it was decided to add picosulfate, bisacodyl, sennosides and cascara sagrada as potentially inappropriate medication in the group of anti-constipation agents, fluoxetine among. the selective serotonin reup take inhibitors and Ginkgo biloba as an anti-dementia drug. There was also consensus in warning about the risk of orthostatic hypotension associated with tamsulosin,in advising consideration of the total anticholinergic load of the therapeutic regimen administered, and in recommending paracetamol as the first line of pain treatment, associated or not with opioids. Conclusions. Having a version of the Beers Criteria 2019 adapted to the Argentine context will contribute to the development and monitoring of interventions to prevent and reduce the consumption of potentially inappropriate medication. (AU)

[Longitudinal follow-up of a population with cognitive complaint: characteristics and progression profile]. / Seguimiento longitudinal de pacientes con queja cognitiva: características y perfiles de progresión.

Cognitive complaint is a common cause of consultation among older adults at the primary care level and it may be the first symptom of cognitive impairment, thus its assessment and follow-up are essential for an early diagnosis. AIM: to describe the baseline neurocognitive profile and evolution of patients with cognitive complaint evaluated at the geriatric assessment unit of the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires. METHODS: observational study of a retrospective cohort of 518 patients with cognitive complaint who underwent a comprehensive geriatric evaluation and cognitive impairment screening tests at the first visit and follow-up visits. Patients diagnosed with dementia at baseline were excluded. RESULTS: 323 (62.36%) subjects were diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment at the first visit and 195 (37.64%) had no cognitive impairment. Of the all the patients, 216 (41.7%) subjects showed worsening of their baseline cognitive status. They had an older age at baseline evaluation, a lower educational level and a worse outcome at Mini Mental State Examination and at memory, executive and language tests than those who remained stable. CONCLUSION: in this follow-up study of a cohort with cognitive complaint we verify the impact of age, educational level and poor outcomes on memory, executive function and language domains as variables associated with progression of cognitive impairment.

Decreased falls through multifactorial intervention in frail older adults / [Disminución de caídas mediante una intervención multifactorial en adultos mayores frágiles]

Frail elders have higher risk of falls, with associated morbidity and mortality. Our objective was to reduce the percentage of falls in frail elders after a multifactorial and systemic intervention. Design: before-after quasi-experimental study, with own individual as control. Scope: patient's living place, in the metropolitan area of ​​Buenos Aires city. Recruitment period: 01/10/2017-31/04/2018. Baseline assessment and 3-month follow-up. Inclusion criteria: ≥65 years with criteria of frailty according to the treating physician. Exclusion criteria: rejection of intervention or dying patient. Intervention: a health and social-care assistant systematically evaluated different dimensions for falls prevention and intervened according to need in each case in: environmental safety, prescription and training in the use of walking aids, strengthening exercises, improvement of the patient's network of care, and medication reconciliation. The change in the percentage of people with falls in the last month (McNemar) was analyzed by intention to treat. We included 108 people. Average age was 85.2 years (SD 6.2). Women: 79.6%. Average Barthel: 50.5 (SD 35.9). Severe or total dependence: 56.8%; dementia: 29.6%; institutionalized: 30.5%; polypharmacy: 82.4%. High risk of falls: 79.6% (95% CI 71.1-86.1). In the initial evaluation, 33.3% had fallen in the last month (95% CI 25.2-42.7). After the intervention, 13.9% (95% CI 8.6-18.6), p <0.001. Previous falls rate: 50/100 people (SD 87); posterior: 11/100 people (SD 34), p <0.001. In conclusion, this multifactorial and systemic intervention in frail elders showed a reduction of people with falls of 41.7%, and a reduction of falls rate of 78%.

Los adultos mayores frágiles (AMF) tienen mayor riesgo de caídas, con morbi-mortalidad asociada. Nuestro objetivo fue disminuir el porcentaje de AMF con caídas luego de una intervención multifactorial y sistémica. Estudio cuasiexperimental antes-después, propio individuo control. Ámbito: domicilio de AMF, en área metropolitana de Buenos Aires. Periodo de reclutamiento: 01/10/17-31/04/18. Evaluación basal y seguimiento a 3 meses. Criterios de inclusión: ≥65 años con criterios de fragilidad según médico tratante. Criterios de exclusión: rechazo de intervención o paciente moribundo. Intervención: un orientador (agente) socio-sanitario evaluó sistemáticamente en domicilio distintas dimensiones para prevención de caídas e intervino según necesidad en cada caso en: seguridad ambiental, indicación y capacitación en uso de apoyos de marcha, ejercicios de fortalecimiento, mejora de la red de cuidado, y conciliación de medicación. Se analizó por intención de tratar el cambio en el porcentaje de personas con caídas en el último mes (McNemar). Incluimos 108 personas, edad promedio 85,2 años (DE 6,2), mujeres 79,6%. Barthel promedio 50,5 (DE 35,9). El 56,8% tenían dependencia severa o total; 29,6% demencia; 30,5% institucionalizados; 82,4% polimedicados. El 79,6% (IC95% 71,1-86,1) tenían alto riesgo de caídas. En evaluación inicial habían sufrido caídas en el último mes 33,3% (IC95% 25,2-42,7). Post intervención, 13,9% (IC95% 8,6-18,6), p<0,001. Tasa de caídas previa: 50/100 personas (DE 87); posterior: 11/100 personas (DE 34), p< 0,001. En conclusión, esta intervención multifactorial y sistémica en AMF mostró reducción de personas con caídas de 41,7%, y  tasa de caídas de 78%.

A multifactorial intervention to lower potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults in Argentina.

BACKGROUND: Adverse drug reactions are a common cause of potentially avoidable harm, particularly in older adults. AIMS: To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of a pilot multifactorial intervention to reduce potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use in older adults. METHODS: We conducted a phase 2, feasibility, open-label study in the ambulatory setting of an integrated healthcare network in Buenos Aires, Argentina. We recruited primary care physicians (PCPs) and measured PIM use in a sample of their patients (65 years or older). Educational workshops for PCPs were organized with the involvement of clinician champions. Practical deprescribing algorithms were designed based on Beers criteria. Automatic email alerts based on specific PIMs recorded in each patient's electronic health record were used as a reminder tool. PCPs were responsible for deprescribing decisions. We randomly sampled 879 patients taking PIMs from eight of the most commonly used drug classes at our institution and compared basal (6 months prior to the intervention) and final (12 months after) prevalence of PIM use using a test of proportions. RESULTS: There was a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in all drug classes evaluated. Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (basal prevalence 5.92%; final 1.59%); benzodiazepines (10.13%; 6.94%); histamine antagonists (7.74%; 3.07%); opioids (2.16%; 1.25%); tricyclic antidepressants (8.08%; 4.10%); muscle relaxants (7.74%; 3.41%), anti-hypertensives (3.53%; 1.82%) and oxybutynin (2.96%; 1.82%). The absolute reduction in the overall prevalence was 8.5 percentage points (relative reduction of 51.4%). CONCLUSION: This multifactorial intervention is feasible and effective in reducing the use of potentially inappropriate medication in all drug classes evaluated.

[Study of the performance of complex activities of daily living in a population of patients with mild cognitive impairment. Mild functional impairment: A new clinical entity?] / Estudio del desempeño de las actividades complejas de la vida diaria en una población de pacientes con Deterioro Cognitivo Leve. Deterioro Funcional Leve: ¿una nueva entidad clínica?

Several papers describe functional changes in the aging population, and its relevance in the early cognitive impairment detection. Alterations in instrumental activities would constitute a diagnostic marker of MCI and predict the progression to Dementia. In order to count on a tool to evaluate the performance in the use of new technologies we have designed a new protocol, Complex Functional Study (CFS), that quantifies performance and functional changes Related to previous states. OBJECTIVES: To compare CFS scores in patients with MCI with a control group without cognitive impairment (CD) and verify their diagnostic performance to detect complex function alterations in reference too the functional scales, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (AVDI) and Disability Assessment for Dementia (DAD). METHODS: Patients with MCI and controls were included. All subjects were evaluated with a neurocognitive battery, and functional scales (EFE).STATA software version 14.2 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: 269 recruited patients older than 65 years old, 173 with diagnosis of MCI and 96 controls. The MCI patients obtained significantly higher EFE scores tan subjects without DC (p < 0,001).The EFE presented a greater sensitivity to detect the functional alteration (EFE 81.5%, AVDI 25.9%, DAD 18.5%). CONCLUSIONS: The EFE is an instrument of optimal clinical value, with good sensitivity to identify the alteration of the complex activities of daily life in patients with MCI. The results allow to characterize a profile compatible with Light Functional Impairment.

Association of Dual-Task Gait With Incident Dementia in Mild Cognitive Impairment: Results From the Gait and Brain Study.

Importance: Gait performance is affected by neurodegeneration in aging and has the potential to be used as a clinical marker for progression from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to dementia. A dual-task gait test evaluating the cognitive-motor interface may predict dementia progression in older adults with MCI. Objective: To determine whether a dual-task gait test is associated with incident dementia in MCI. Design, Setting, and Participants: The Gait and Brain Study is an ongoing prospective cohort study of community-dwelling older adults that enrolled 112 older adults with MCI. Participants were followed up for 6 years, with biannual visits including neurologic, cognitive, and gait assessments. Data were collected from July 2007 to March 2016. Main Outcomes and Measures: Incident all-cause dementia was the main outcome measure, and single- and dual-task gait velocity and dual-task gait costs were the independent variables. A neuropsychological test battery was used to assess cognition. Gait velocity was recorded under single-task and 3 separate dual-task conditions using an electronic walkway. Dual-task gait cost was defined as the percentage change between single- and dual-task gait velocities: ([single-task gait velocity - dual-task gait velocity]/ single-task gait velocity) × 100. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the association between risk of progression to dementia and the independent variables, adjusted for age, sex, education, comorbidities, and cognition. Results: Among 112 study participants with MCI, mean (SD) age was 76.6 (6.9) years, 55 were women (49.1%), and 27 progressed to dementia (24.1%), with an incidence rate of 121 per 1000 person-years. Slow single-task gait velocity (<0.8 m/second) was not associated with progression to dementia (hazard ratio [HR], 3.41; 95% CI, 0.99-11.71; P = .05)while high dual-task gait cost while counting backward (HR, 3.79; 95% CI, 1.57-9.15; P = .003) and naming animals (HR, 2.41; 95% CI, 1.04-5.59; P = .04) were associated with dementia progression (incidence rate, 155 per 1000 person-years). The models remained robust after adjusting by baseline cognition except for dual-task gait cost when dichotomized. Conclusions and Relevance: Dual-task gait is associated with progression to dementia in patients with MCI. Dual-task gait testing is easy to administer and may be used by clinicians to decide further biomarker testing, preventive strategies, and follow-up planning in patients with MCI. Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov: NCT03020381.

[New predictors in prodromal Alzheimer: Deferred phase in word recall of MIS test]. / Nuevos predictores en Alzheimer prodrómico: fase diferida en el test MIS de recuerdo de palabras.

BACKGROUND: The Memory Impairment Screen (MIS-A) is a validated test to detect Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and other dementias. We have modified this test to suit a Spanish speaking population and added a new component, delayed recall (MIS-D). OBJECTIVES: 1) To test a Spanish version of MIS-A and MIS-D. 2) To assess the discriminative validity of MIS-D as a screening tool for the amnestic variant of Mild Cognitive Impairment (aMCI). METHODS: A case-control study of a cohort of 739 aged 65 years old and over, of whom 436 were healthy controls and 303 had a diagnosis of aMCI. The MCI group was patients from the Geriatric Unit for the Elderly at the Italian Hospital of Buenos Aires staffed by geriatricians. MEASUREMENTS: ANOVA test and test t de Student mean comparison. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NVP) were estimated for MIS-D and MIS-A. RESULTS: Normative values for MIS-A and MIS-D were obtained from the control population. Both age and education significantly affected these values (p<0.0001). The cut-off for MIS-A should be 7.5 and for MIS-D, 5.5. Comparison between control population and aMCI population using ROC curve gave a result of 5.5 in MIS-D, with 97% specificity and 76% sensitivity. CONCLUSION: MIS-D was positively predictive of Amci. An extension of the sample in other health care contexts would enable us to verify its clinical validity for other populations.

Spanish Revised Memory and Behavior Problems Checklist Scale (SpRMBPC): trans-cultural adaptation and validation of the RMBPC questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: The use of standardized scales is critical for monitoring the interventions within and between different populations, but the current Spanish tools are dispersed in several scales. A simple tool for simultaneously and exhaustively evaluating patient's symptoms and caregiver's distress in Spanish-speaking groups is needed. METHODS: RMBPC was translated into Spanish by cross-cultural adaptation. Comprehensibility and easiness of SpRMBPC were evaluated with 92 patient-caregiver dyads. Reliability, stability and scale structure were evaluated by Cronbach's α, test-retest and factor analysis respectively. Concurrent and discriminant validity were assessed by correlation with validated tools for measuring stage of dementia; memory, disruptive behaviors and depression symptoms of the patients; and anxiety, depression and burden of the caregivers (CDR, MMSE, NPIq, NPI disruption, NPI depression, HADS-A; HADS-D and Zarit Burden Interview respectively). RESULTS: Almost all caregivers completed the questionnaire (97% completeness; 7.5% missing data). Both the frequency of Patient's Symptoms and Caregiver Reaction scores and subscores displayed high stability and reliability. All of these scores correlated positively with their respective validated tools as predicted, except with MMSE. The patients' subscores for Disruptive Behaviors and Memory Impairment displayed their highest correlation with the disruptive symptoms and level of dementia validated tools. CONCLUSIONS: SpRMBPC is a validated tool for assessing the dementia stage and the psychiatric morbidity of patients and caregivers. The Frequency Disruption and Memory subscales assess specifically patient's disruptive symptoms and dementia stages. These tools can be applied to analyze the burden of the patient's disease and the caregiver's distress in Spanish-speaking populations.

[A multidisciplinary program for the treatment and follow up of depression in ambulatory elderly]. / Ensayo pragmático para evaluar la efectividad de un programa de manejo de depresión para pacientes mayores de 65 años en un Plan de Salud.

Depression is a common disorder in the elderly population; with significant elevated rates in terms of morbidity and mortality. Nonetheless it continues to be a subdiagnosticated disease with poor outcomes due to lack in the effectiveness of follow up. We developed collaborative intervention programs for elderly people in primary care at Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires designing a randomized controlled trial in the ambulatory setting. Patients were recruited for an initial comprehensive geriatric evaluation, and then randomly assigned to the program intervention (n=18) or usual care (n=19). At 6 months, 55.5% of intervention patients had a 50% or greater reduction in depressive symptoms from baseline compared with 31.5% of those on usual care. Although the reduction of the outcomes of depressive symptoms is not statistically significative, these are preliminary data. We believe there is a trend toward better results with regard to improvements in depressive symptoms in patients in the intervention group, and that this will achieve statistical significance as the number of subjects recruited is increased in the course of the trial.

Gait disorders are associated with non-cardiovascular falls in elderly people: a preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: The association between unexplained falls and cardiovascular causes is increasingly recognized. Neurally mediated cardiovascular disorders and hypotensive syndromes are found in almost 20 percent of the patients with unexplained falls. However, the approach to these patients remains unclear. Gait assessment might be an interesting approach to these patients as clinical observations suggests that those with cardiovascular or hypotensive causes may not manifest obvious gait alterations. Our primary objective is to analyze the association between gait disorders and a non-cardiovascular cause of falls in patients with unexplained falls. A second objective is to test the sensitivity and specificity of a gait assessment approach for detecting non-cardiovascular causes when compared with intrinsic-extrinsic classification. METHODS: Cross-sectional study performed in a falls clinic at a university hospital in 41 ambulatory elderly participants with unexplained falls. Neurally mediated cardiovascular conditions, neurological diseases, gait and balance problems were assessed. Gait disorder was defined as a gait velocity < 0.8 m/s or Tinetti Gait Score < 9. An attributable etiology of the fall was determined in each participant. Comparisons between the gait assessment approach and the attributable etiology regarding a neurally mediated cardiovascular cause were performed. Fisher exact test was used to test the association hypothesis. Sensitivity and specificity of gait assessment approach and intrinsic-extrinsic classification to detect a non-cardiovascular mediated fall was calculated with 95% confidence intervals (CI95%). RESULTS: A cardiovascular etiology (orthostatic and postprandial hypotension, vasovagal syndrome and carotid sinus hypersensitivity) was identified in 14% of participants (6/41). Of 35 patients with a gait disorder, 34 had a non-cardiovascular etiology of fall; whereas in 5 out of 6 patients without a gait disorder, a cardiovascular diagnosis was identified (p < 0.001). Sensitivity and specificity of the presence of gait disorder for identifying a non-cardiovascular mediated cause was 97.1% (CI95% = 85-99) and 83% (CI95% = 36-99), respectively. CONCLUSION: In community dwelling older persons with unexplained falls, gait disorders were associated with non-cardiovascular diagnosis of falls. Gait assessment was a useful approach for the detection of a non-cardiovascular mediated cause of falls, providing additional value to this assessment.

Gait velocity as a single predictor of adverse events in healthy seniors aged 75 years and older.

PURPOSE: Although gait velocity (GV) measurement could predict poor outcomes, few studies regarding its usefulness as a single test in well functioning elderly persons have been pursued. The aim of this study was to asses whether GV could be sufficient to predict adverse events such as hospitalization for any cause, requirement for a caregiver, nursing home placement, falls, fractures, or death in healthy elderly persons. METHODS: Ours was a cohort study comprising 102 well functioning participants aged 75 and older. Demographic features, health status, and functional capacity were assessed at baseline and followed for adverse outcomes. Measurements included evaluation of cognition, activities of daily living, and mobility. The time required to walk the middle 8 meters of 10 meters was defined as GV. Three GV groups were distinguished: high GV (>1.1 m/s), median GV (1-0.7 m/s), and low GV (<0.7 m/s). RESULTS: At baseline, the three groups were comparable in their health status with an average age of 79.6 +/- 4 years. At 24 months, the low GV group had a significantly higher incidence of adverse events than did the other groups. Low GV was a predictor of hospitalization (relative risk [RR] = 5.9, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.9-8.5), requirement of a caregiver (RR = 9.5, 95% CI, 1.3-2.5), and new falls (RR = 5.4, 95% CI, 2.0-4.3). These associations remained significant after a multiple logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: GV measurement in the ambulatory setting may allow the detection of healthy elderly people at risk for adverse events. These data may suggest that simple assessment of GV is enough to predict adverse events in well functioning older persons.

Is collectionism a diagnostic clue for Diogenes syndrome?

BACKGROUND: Diogenes syndrome (DS) is characterized by extreme self-neglect, domestic squalor, and social withdrawal. Despite having been described decades ago, it is still difficult to persue a correct diagnosis in primary care clinics. METHODS: This paper reports a case of an elderly man with extreme self neglect and an abnormal collecting pattern whose condition remained undetected for many years. His collectionism was manifested with a tendency to store items in an organized manner but without a clear purpose. CONCLUSION: The authors suggest that the presence of collectionism could be a helpful clue towards diagnosis of DS in similar cases.