[Prevalence and risk factors of suspicion abuse in elder population]. / Prevalencia y factores de riesgo de sospecha de maltrato en población anciana.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: We determined the prevalence and associated risk factors in the suspicion of elder abuse in the old population. PATIENTS AND METHOD: We included a total of 209 patients > or = 72 years of age without cognitive deterioration (score in test of Pfeiffer (3/4) 4 points). The questionnaire of suspicion of elder abuse used was one recommended by the Canadian Task Force and the American Medical Association; it consists of 9 questions and the presence of a positive answer is considered as indicative of suspicion of abuse. RESULTS: The prevalence of suspicion of elder abuse was 52.6% (at least one positive answer to the questionnaire). 8.6% affirmatively responded to 2 questions and 2% to 3. Female gender, widowhood, deficiency of studies, living alone or in institutions and having exerted a remunerated work were the associated variables in the bivariant analysis with regard to the suspicion of abuse. In the model of logistic regression, there was a significant association with the civil status and the coexistence of the familiar nucleus, with a greater risk of elder abuse in unmarried and/or widowers (p < 0.001) and in those living alone (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: There is a high prevalence of suspicion of elder abuse in the old population.

Prevalencia y factores de riesgo de sospecha de maltrato en población anciana / Prevalence and risk factors of suspicion abuse in elder population

Fundamento y objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia y los factores de riesgo asociados a la sospecha de maltrato en población anciana. Pacientes y método: Participó en el estudio un total de 209 pacientes de 72 años de edad o más sin deterioro cognitivo (puntuación en test de Pfeiffer menor o igual a 4 puntos). Como cuestionario de sospecha de maltrato se utilizó el recomendado por la Canadian Task Force y la American Medical Association, que consta de 9 preguntas, y donde una respuesta positiva se considera indicativa de sospecha de maltrato. Para la valoración del grado de dependencia en las actividades de la vida diaria se recurrió al índice de Barthel, y para evaluar el apoyo social y las redes sociales del paciente se utilizó el cuestionario MOS. Resultados: La prevalencia de sospecha de maltrato fue del 52,6% (una respuesta positiva al cuestionario). El 8,6% respondió afirmativamente a 2 preguntas y el 2% a 3. El sexo femenino, la viudedad, la carencia de estudios, el vivir solo o en instituciones y el no haber ejercido un trabajo remunerado son las variables asociadas en el análisis bivariante a la sospecha de maltrato, así como las puntuaciones bajas en el cuestionario MOS y el grado de autonomía en el índice de Barthel. En el modelo de regresión logística, la asociación significativa se mantuvo entre la sospecha de maltrato, el estado civil y la convivencia del núcleo familiar, con un mayor riesgo de maltrato en viudos y/o solteros (p < 0,001) y en quienes viven solos (p < 0,0001). Conclusiones: La prevalencia de sospecha de maltrato en población anciana es muy elevada

Background and objective: We determined the prevalence and associated risk factors in the suspicion of elder abuse in the old population. Patients and method: We included a total of 209 patients >= 72 years of age without cognitive deterioration (score in test of Pfeiffer ¾ 4 points). The questionnaire of suspicion of elder abuse used was one recommended by the Canadian Task Force and the American Medical Association; it consists of 9 questions and the presence of a positive answer is considered as indicative of suspicion of abuse. Results: The prevalence of suspicion of elder abuse was 52.6% (at least one positive answer to the questionnaire). 8.6% affirmatively responded to 2 questions and 2% to 3. Female gender, widowhood, deficiency of studies, living alone or in institutions and having exerted a remunerated work were the associated variables in the bivariant analysis with regard to the suspicion of abuse. In the model of logistic regression, there was a significant association with the civil status and the coexistence of the familiar nucleus, with a greater risk of elder abuse in unmarried and/or widowers (p < 0.001) and in those living alone (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of suspicion of elder abuse in the old population