Gait speed according to cognitive status in older adults: a cross-sectional study in a resource-limited country.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the association between gait speed and cognitive status in outpatient older adults from a resource-limited setting in Peru. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study including older adults aged ≥60 years attending a geriatrics outpatient clinic between July 2017 and February 2020. Gait speed was measured over a 10-meters distance without considering the first and last meter traveled. Cognitive status was assessed through the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ) and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). We used a multivariate binomial logistic regression to conduct both an epidemiological and fully adjusted models. RESULTS: We included 519 older adults (mean age: 75 years; IQR = 10), of whom 95 (18.3%) and 151 (31.5%) were cognitively impaired according to the SPMSQ and MMSE, respectively. Gait speed was slower among patients with poorer cognitive status as assessed by both tools (p < 0.001). Malnutrition (PR: 1.74; CI: 1.45-2.08) and functional dependency (PR: 4.35; CI: 2.68-7.08) were associated with a greater prevalence of cognitive impairment according to the SPMSQ, whereas a faster gait speed (PR: 0.27, CI: 0.14-0.52) and longer years of education (PR: 0.83, CI: 0.77-0.88) were associated with a less prevalence. CONCLUSIONS: Slower gait speed was associated with poorer cognitive status in outpatient older adults. Gait speed may be a complementary tool in the cognitive assessment of older adults from resource-limited settings.

Identification of Probable sarcopenia based on SARC-F and SARC-CalF in older adults from a low-resource setting.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the frequency of probable sarcopenia and to compare the performance of SARC-F and SARC-CalF for detecting this condition in outpatient older adults from a low-resource setting. Methods: We conducted a retrospective, cross-sectional study in outpatient older adults aged ≥60 years attending a hospital in Peru, between August 2019 and February 2020. Probable sarcopenia was defined as low handgrip strength (<27 kg in men and <16 in women). We used SARC-F and SARC-CalF with their standard cut-off points (≥4 and ≥11, respectively). Low calf circumference was defined as ≤33 cm in women and ≤34 cm in men. We performed sensitivity and specificity analyses. Results: We included 206 older adults, 102 (49.5%) aged ≥75 years old and 140 (67.9%) females. Probable sarcopenia was present in 36.40% of the participants. SARC-F ≥4 was observed in 29.61% and SARC-CalF ≥11 in 41.26% of the population. SARC-F≥4 showed 41.33% sensitivity and 77.10% specificity, whereas SARC-Calf ≥11 had 50.67% sensitivity and 64.12% specificity. Conclusion: We found that one out of three of the population had probable sarcopenia. SARC-Calf showed superior but still low sensitivity than SARC-F, while both had moderate specificity and thus may be useful for ruling out the disease in clinical practice.

In-hospital mortality among incident hemodialysis older patients in Peru.

BACKGROUND: Understanding the pattern of mortality linked to end stage renal disease (ESRD) is important given the increasing ageing population in low- and middle-income countries. METHODS: We analyzed older patients with ESRD with incident hemodialysis, from January 2012 to August 2017 in one large general hospital in Peru. Individual and health system-related variables were analyzed using Generalized Linear Models (GLM) to estimate their association with in-hospital all-cause mortality. Relative risk (RR) with their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated. RESULTS: We evaluated 312 patients; mean age 69 years, 93.6% started hemodialysis with a transient central venous catheter, 1.7% had previous hemodialysis indication and 24.7% died during hospital stay. The mean length of stay was 16.1 days (SD 13.5). In the adjusted multivariate models, we found higher in-hospital mortality among those with encephalopathy (aRR 1.85, 95% CI 1.21-2.82 vs. without encephalopathy) and a lower in-hospital mortality among those with eGFR ≤7 mL/min (aRR 0.45, 95% CI 0.31-0.67 vs. eGFR>7 mL/min). CONCLUSIONS: There is a high in-hospital mortality among older hemodialysis patients in Peru. The presence of uremic encephalopathy was associated with higher mortality and a lower estimated glomerular filtration rate with lower mortality.

Investigaciones sobre envejecimiento realizadas por estudiantes universitarios en el Perú / Research about aging carried out by university students in Peru

Introducción: La promoción de la investigación a nivel universitario ofrece múltiples beneficios para los estudiantes y es considerada reflejo de la calidad educativa de las universidades. Objetivo: Describir las características de la investigación sobre envejecimiento realizada por estudiantes universitarios en el Perú. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo de las tesis de pre y post grado sobre envejecimiento realizadas en el Perú entre los años 1980 al 2013. Se realizó la búsqueda por palabras claves en las bases de datos de universidades del país y en bases de datos electrónicas nacionales y Latinoamericanas con la selección basada en el cumplimiento del proceso metodológico de investigación. Resultados: Se identificaron 500 tesis; la mayoría de pregrado (74,4 por ciento) y relativas al área geriátrica (78 por ciento). El tema social fue el más estudiado (12,8 por ciento) en el área gerontologico y el quirúrgico (8,1 por ciento) en el geriátrico. La mayor proporción de las tesis fueron descriptivas (92 por ciento), de corte transversal (69,6 por ciento) y relativas al área geriátrica (78 por ciento), tanto en pre como en postgrado. Durante el periodo estudiado la proporción de tesis realizadas muestra un aumento progresivo con un incremento significativo en el número de estudios analíticos y de corte prospectivo. Conclusión: La investigación desarrollada por estudiantes universitarios sobre envejecimiento en el Perú es principalmente de tipo transversal, relativa al área geriatrica y muestra un incremento significativo en el periodo estudiado(AU)

Introduction: The promotion of research at the university level offers multiple benefits to students and is indicative of educational quality of universities. Objective: To describe the characteristics of research about aging carried out by university students in Peru. Methods: Descriptive study of the diploma papers and postgraduate theses about aging presented in Peru between 1980 and 2013. The search was carried out by keywords in the databases in the of country's universities and in electronic databases both national and from Latin American, the selection being based on compliance with the research methodological process. Results: We identified 500 works, most of which were diploma papers (74.4 percent) and on the topic of the geriatric field (78 percent). The social issue was the most studied (12.8 percent) in the gerontological field. The surgical topic was the most studied (8.1 percent) in the geriatric field. The majority of the works were descriptive (92 percent), cross-sectional (69.6 percent) and associated with the geriatric field (78 percent), both in the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. During the period under study, the proportion of papers and theses research carried out shows a progressive increase, with a significant increase in the number of analytical and prospective studies. Conclusion: Research developed by university students about aging in Peru is mainly cross-sectional and associated with to the geriatric field. In the period studied, it shows a significant increase(AU)

Graphical and numerical skills in pre- and postgraduate medical students from a private university. / Habilidad gráfica y numérica en estudiantes de medicina de pre y posgrado de una universidad privada.

Introduction: Physicians and medical students need to understand numerical and graphical health data in order to provide patients with correct information. Objective: The graphical and numerical skills of medical students and residents from a private university in Lima, Peru, were determined in this investigation. Method: Cross-sectional, descriptive study. The Objective Numeracy, Subjective Numeracy and Graph Literacy Scales were applied to medical students at their two final years of medical school and to medical residents. Results: Of 169 participants, 52.07% were sixth-year and 18.34% were seventh-year students and 29.58% were residents. Mean objective numeracy score was 7.34, mean subjective numeracy was 34.12 and mean graph literacy was 10.35. A multiple linear regression analysis showed that Subjective and Objective Numeracy Scales highest means were associated with the male gender and training on research methodology (p < 0.05). Graph Literacy Scale highest means were associated with the male gender and younger age (p-value < 0.05). Conclusion: Numeracy and Graph Literacy Scales mean scores were high in medical students.

Introducción: Los médicos y estudiantes de medicina necesitan comprender los datos numéricos y gráficos sobre salud para proveer información correcta a los pacientes. Objetivo: Determinar las habilidades gráficas y numéricas en estudiantes y residentes de medicina de una universidad privada de Lima, Perú. Método: Estudio descriptivo, transversal. Se aplicaron las escalas de Habilidad Numérica Objetiva, de Habilidad Numérica Subjetiva y de Habilidad Gráfica a estudiantes de medicina de los dos últimos años de la carrera de medicina y a residentes de medicina. Resultados: De 169 participantes, 52.07 % fueron estudiantes de sexto año, 18.34 % de séptimo y 29.58 % residentes. La media en la habilidad numérica objetiva fue de 7.34, en la subjetiva de 34.12 y en la habilidad gráfica de 10.35. De la regresión lineal múltiple se obtuvo que las medias más altas en las escalas de Habilidad Numérica Subjetiva y Objetiva estuvieron asociadas con el sexo masculino y la capacitación sobre metodología en investigación (p < 0.05). En la Escala de Habilidad Gráfica, las medias más altas estuvieron asociadas con el sexo masculino y menor edad (p < 0.05). Conclusión: Las medias de las escalas de Habilidad Gráfica y Habilidad Numérica en estudiantes de medicina fueron altas.

Effect of multimorbidity on gait speed in well-functioning older people: A population-based study in Peru.

AIM: To determine the association between multimorbidity and gait speed in a population-based sample of older people without functional dependency. METHODS: Data were obtained from a previously made cross-sectional population-based study of individuals aged >60 years carried out in San Martin de Porres, the second most populous district in Lima, Peru. We included well-functioning, independent older people. Exclusion criteria emphasized removing conditions that would impair gait. The exposure of interest was non-communicable chronic disease multimorbidity, and the outcome was gait speed determined by the time required for the participant to walk a distance of 8 m out of a total distance of 10 m. Generalized linear models were used to estimate adjusted gait speed by multimorbidity status. RESULTS: Data from 265 older adults with a median age of 68 years (IQR 63-75 years) and 54% women were analyzed. The median gait speed was 1.06 m/s (SD 0.27) and the mean number of chronic conditions per adult was 1.1 (SD ±1). The difference in mean gait speed between older adults without a chronic condition and those with ≥3 chronic conditions was 0.24 m/s. In crude models, coefficients decreased by a significant exponential factor for every increase in the number of chronic conditions. Further adjustment attenuated these estimates. CONCLUSIONS: Slower speed gaits are observed across the spectrum of multimorbidity in older adults without functional dependency. The role of gait speed as a simple indicator to evaluate and monitor general health status in older populations is expanded to include older adults without dependency. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 293-300.

Factores asociados a velocidad de marcha lenta en adultos mayores de un distrito en Lima, Perú / Factors associated with slow walking speed in older adults of a district in Lima, Peru

RESUMEN Objetivos. Determinar los factores asociados a velocidad de marcha lenta en adultos mayores de la comunidad residentes en un distrito de Lima, Perú. Materiales y métodos. Estudio de análisis de base de datos secundario. Se incluyó a los adultos mayores de 60 años y se excluyó aquellos con condiciones que no garantizaban la evaluación de la marcha. La variable dependiente fue la velocidad de marcha lenta, menor a 1 m/s, y las variables independientes fueron sociodemográficas, clínicas y de valoración geriátrica integral. Se calcularon las razones de prevalencia (RP) crudas y ajustadas con intervalos de confianza al 95% (IC95%). Resultados. Se incluyeron 416 adultos mayores, el rango de edad fue de 60 a 99 años y un 41% presentaba velocidad de marcha lenta. Se encontró que los factores asociados a una velocidad de marcha lenta en adultos mayores de la comunidad son el sexo femenino (RP 1,45, IC95%: 1,13-1,88), la edad mayor de 70 años (RP 1,73, IC95%: 1,30-2,30), un menor grado de instrucción (RP. 2.07, IC95%: 1,20-3,55), la presencia de problema socio familiar (RP 1,66, IC95%: 1,08-2,54), la presencia de diabetes mellitus (RP 1,35, IC95%: 1,01-1,80) y de depresión (RP: 1.41, IC95%: 1,02-1,95). Conclusiones. Los factores modificables asociados a una velocidad de marcha lenta en el adulto mayor en la comunidad son tanto clínicos como sociofamiliares, susceptibles de intervención desde etapas precoces en el curso de la vida.

ABSTRACT Objectives. To determine the factors associated with slow walking speed in older adults living in a district of Lima, Peru. Materials and methods. Analysis of secondary data. Adults older than 60 years were included in the study, while adults with physical conditions who did not allow the evaluation of the walking speed were excluded. The dependent variable was slow walking speed (less than 1 m/s), and the independent variables were sociodemographic, clinical, and geriatric data. Raw and adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) were calculated with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Results. The study sample included 416 older adults aged 60 to 99 years, and 41% of the participants met the slow walking speed criterion. The factors associated with slow walking speed in this sample were female gender (PR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.13-1.88), age > 70 years (PR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.30- 2.30), lower level of education (PR, 2.07, 95% CI, 1.20-3.55), social-familial problems (PR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.08-2.54), diabetes mellitus (PR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.01-1.80), and depression (PR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.02-1.95). Conclusions. The modifiable factors associated with slow walking speed in older adults included clinical and social-familial problems, and these factors are susceptible to interventions from the early stages of life.

Frecuencia de factores asociados a hipoglicemia en el adulto mayor diabético admitido en el servicio de emergencia de un hospital nacional / Frequency of factors associated to hypoglycemia in elder patients with diabetes admitted to the emergency room of a national hospital

Objetivos: Determinar la frecuencia de los factores asociados a hipoglicemia en el adulto mayor diabético atendido en el servicio de emergencia de un hospital general. Material y método: Estudio descriptivo de corte transversal de una serie de casos de adultos mayores diabéticos con hipoglicemia admitidos al servicio de emergencia del Hospital Nacional Arzobispo Loayza, durante enero y febrero del 2015. Se registraron los siguientes datos: edad, sexo, comorbilidades, polifarmacia, exámenes de laboratorio (urea, creatinina, transaminasas, albúmina, HbA1c), escalas geriátricas para evaluar el nivel funcional, cognitivo, social, afectivo y nutricional, a través de las escalas de: Barthel, Pfeiffer, Guijón, Yesavage y MNA, respectivamente. Los datos fueron ingresados en una tabla en Microsoft Excel 2010 y analizados con el programa SPSS 9.0. Resultados: Se evaluaron a 52 pacientes, 42,3% fueron varones, media de edad 70 años, promedio de glicemia de ingreso 32,23 mg/dL. El 46% contaron con HbA1c, con una media de 6,76%. Los factores asociados a hipoglicemia más frecuentes fueron: 94,2% dependencia funcional, 78,8% comorbilidad, 63,5% deterioro cognitivo, 61.5% riesgo de depresión, 59,6% riesgo de malnutrición, 57,7% riesgo de problema social y 51% polifarmacia. Conclusiones: Los adultos mayores que ingresan por hipoglicemia presentan una alta frecuencia de factores asociados tales como alteraciones cognitivas, dependencia funcional, depresión, malnutrición, comorbilidades, polifarmacia y problemas sociales. Los valores de HbA1c son bajos en promedio con respecto a las recomendaciones internacionales para adultos mayores. (AU)

Objectives: To determine the frequency of factors associated with hypoglycemia in elder patients admitted to the emergency room of a national hospital. Methods: Cross-sectional study of elder patients with diabetes admitted to the emergency room of Hospital Nacional Arzobispo Loayza from January to February 2015. Information on age, gender, comorbidities, concomitant medications, laboratory examinations (urea, creatinine, transaminases, serum albumin, HbA1c), scores to evaluate functional, cognitive, social, affective and nutritional levels by using Barthel, Pfeiffer, Guijon, Yesavage and MNA scales. Data were entered in Microsoft Excel 2010 and analyzed using SPPS 9.0. Results: 52 patients were evaluated; 42.3% were males; mean age was 70 years; mean serum glucose at admission was 32, 23 mg/dl; 46% had HbA1c values with a mean of 6.76%. Factors associated with hypoglycemia were functional dependence (94.2%); comorbidities (78.8%); cognitive deterioration (65.3%); risk of depression (61.5%); risk of malnutrition (56.9%); risk of social problems (57.7%) and use of multiple medications (51%). Conclusions: Elder patients admitted with hypoglycemia have multiple associated factors such as cognitive alterations, functional dependence, depression, malnutrition, comorbidities, use multiple medications and have social problems. HbA1c values were low in comparison to internationally accepted values for elder patients. (AU)

[Factors associated with slow walking speed in older adults of a district in Lima, Peru]. / Factores asociados a velocidad de marcha lenta en adultos mayores de un distrito en Lima, Perú.

OBJECTIVES.: To determine the factors associated with slow walking speed in older adults living in a district of Lima, Peru. MATERIALS AND METHODS.: Analysis of secondary data. Adults older than 60 years were included in the study, while adults with physical conditions who did not allow the evaluation of the walking speed were excluded. The dependent variable was slow walking speed (less than 1 m/s), and the independent variables were sociodemographic, clinical, and geriatric data. Raw and adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) were calculated with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). RESULTS.: The study sample included 416 older adults aged 60 to 99 years, and 41% of the participants met the slow walking speed criterion. The factors associated with slow walking speed in this sample were female gender (PR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.13-1.88), age > 70 years (PR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.30- 2.30), lower level of education (PR, 2.07, 95% CI, 1.20-3.55), social-familial problems (PR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.08-2.54), diabetes mellitus (PR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.01-1.80), and depression (PR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.02-1.95). CONCLUSIONS.: The modifiable factors associated with slow walking speed in older adults included clinical and social-familial problems, and these factors are susceptible to interventions from the early stages of life.

OBJETIVOS.: Determinar los factores asociados a velocidad de marcha lenta en adultos mayores de la comunidad residentes en un distrito de Lima, Perú. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS.: Estudio de análisis de base de datos secundario. Se incluyó a los adultos mayores de 60 años y se excluyó aquellos con condiciones que no garantizaban la evaluación de la marcha. La variable dependiente fue la velocidad de marcha lenta, menor a 1 m/s, y las variables independientes fueron sociodemográficas, clínicas y de valoración geriátrica integral. Se calcularon las razones de prevalencia (RP) crudas y ajustadas con intervalos de confianza al 95% (IC95%). RESULTADOS.: Se incluyeron 416 adultos mayores, el rango de edad fue de 60 a 99 años y un 41% presentaba velocidad de marcha lenta. Se encontró que los factores asociados a una velocidad de marcha lenta en adultos mayores de la comunidad son el sexo femenino (RP 1,45, IC95%: 1,13-1,88), la edad mayor de 70 años (RP 1,73, IC95%: 1,30-2,30), un menor grado de instrucción (RP. 2.07, IC95%: 1,20-3,55), la presencia de problema socio familiar (RP 1,66, IC95%: 1,08-2,54), la presencia de diabetes mellitus (RP 1,35, IC95%: 1,01-1,80) y de depresión (RP: 1.41, IC95%: 1,02-1,95). CONCLUSIONES.: Los factores modificables asociados a una velocidad de marcha lenta en el adulto mayor en la comunidad son tanto clínicos como sociofamiliares, susceptibles de intervención desde etapas precoces en el curso de la vida.

Effects of an adapted mattress in musculoskeletal pain and sleep quality in institutionalized elders.

We aimed to evaluate the impact in sleep quality and musculoskeletal pain of a Medium-Firm Mattress (MFM), and their relationship with objective sleep parameters in a group of institutionalized elders. The sample size included forty older adults with musculoskeletal pain. We did a clinical assessment at baseline and weekly trough the study period of four weeks. We employed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Pain Visual Analog Scale (P-VAS). Additionally a sub-group of good sleepers, selected from PSQI baseline evaluation, were studied with actigraphy and randomized to MFM or High Firm Mattress (HFM), in two consecutive nights. We found a significant reduction of cervical, dorsal and lumbar pain. PSQI results did not change. The actigraphy evaluation found a significant shorter sleep onset latency with MFM, and a slightly better, but not statistically significant, sleep efficiency. The medium firmness mattress improved musculoskeletal pain and modified the sleep latency.

Frecuencia de síndrome metabólico en adultos mayores del Distrito de San Martin de Porres de Lima, Perú según los criterios de ATP III y de la IDF / Frequency of syndrome in older adults in the District of San Martin de Porres in Lima, Peru according to the criteria of ATP III and IDF

Objetivos: Determinar la frecuencia del Síndrome metabólico en los adultos mayores de la comunidad del distrito de San Martín de Porres de Lima, Perú. Material y métodos: Estudio descriptivo de análisis secundario de base de datos del estudio "Perfil Clínico del Adulto Mayor que habita en la comunidad de San Martín de Porres", el cual se realizó por muestreo probabilístico entre los meses de febrero y mayo de 2013. Resultados: Se incluyeron a 312 adultos mayores. La frecuencia del síndrome metabólico según los criterios ATP III fue 28,2% y según los criterios de la IDF 35,3%, siendo más frecuente en mujeres que en varones. La frecuencia de obesidad según el índice de masa corporal fue 19,2%, y la frecuencia de obesidad abdominal según los criterios del ATP III fue 65,4%, siendo mayor en mujeres, mientras que según los criterios de la IDF fueron 32,1% y 59,3% en hombres y mujeres, respectivamente. Conclusiones: La frecuencia del síndrome metabólico en la población adulta mayor es alta, obteniendose cifras mayores usuando los criterios de la IDF en comparación con ATP III, presentándose con mayor frecuencia en mujeres...

Objectives: To determine the frequency of metabolic syndrome in the elderly living in San Martin de Porres district of Lima. Methods: Descriptive study that used data from the Clinical Profile of the Elderly livig in San MArtin de Porres, a probabilistic sample between February and May 2013 was undertaken. Results: 312 elder patients were included. The frequency of metabolic syndrome following ATP III and IDF was 28.2% and 35.3%, respectively, being more frequent in females than in males. The frequency of obesity based on body mass index and the frequency of abdominal obesity based on ATP III criteria were 19.2% and 65.4%, being more frequent in females, while the values following IDF criteria were 32.1% and 59.3% respectively and were more frequent in males. Conclusions: The frequency of metabolic syndrome in the elderly in this setting is high, particularly among females, with higher values following IDF criteria compared to ATP II criteria...

Malnutrición del adulto mayor y factores asociados en el distrito de Masma Chicche, Junín, Perú / Malnutrition and associated factors in the elder population of Masma Chicche, Junin, Peru

Objetivo: Determinar el estado nutricional y los factores asociados a malnutrición en el adulto mayor en la comunidad de Masma Chicche, Junín. Material y métodos: Estudio descriptivo transversal realizado en personas mayores de 60 años distrito de Masma Chicche, Junín, Perú. Se utilizó el Mini Nutritional Assesment (MNA) para la evaluación nutricional e instrumentos de valoración geriátrica integral para establecer la presencia de depresión (Yesavage), estado funcional (Katz), deterioro cognitivo (Pfeiffer), salud oral (GOHA) y estado social (Guijon). Se realizó estadística descriptiva, chi cuadrado y ANOVA para determinar asociación entre las variables. Se consideró un p < 0,05 como significativo. Resultados: Se encuestaron a 72 personas. La prevalencia de malnutrición fue 29,9%; 57,9% en riesgo de malnutrición. El 69,4% presentaban depresión y riesgo de la misma; 27,8% mostró deterioro cognitivo; 93,1% presentaba percepción negativa de su salud oral; 51,4% eran dependientes funcionales y el 100% poseía algún problema social. Se encontró asociación de malnutrición con las variables, sexo masculino y presencia de depresión. Conclusiones: En la comunidad de Masma Chicche, alrededor de la tercera parte de la población tiene malnutrición la que está asociada con el sexo masculino y la presencia de depresión.

Objective: Determine the nutritional status and factors associated to malnutrition in the elder population of Masma Chicche, Junin. Methods: Cross-sectional study in persons above 60 years of age in the district of Masma Chicche, Junin. The nutritional evaluation was performed using the mini nutritional assessment method (MNA); depression was evaluated using an integral geriatric valoration scale (Yesavage); functional status was evaluated using the Katz´s method; cognitive deterioration was measured by the Pfeiffer´s method; oral health was evaluated by the GOHA´s method and social status by the Guijon´s method. Descriptive statistics, Chi square and ANOVA tests were used to contrast variables, a p value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: 72 elder persons were evaluated; the prevalence of malnutrition was 29.9%; 57.9% were at risk for malnutrition. Prevalence of depression was 69.4%; 27.8% had cognitive deterioration; 93.1% had negative perception of their oral health; 51.4% were functionally dependant and 100% had any kind of social problem. Malnutrition was associated with age, male gender and depression. Conclusions: Almost one third of the elder population of Masma Chicche has malnutrition, which is associated with male gender and depression.

Perfil clínico del adulto mayor atendido ambulatoriamente en un hospital general / Clinical profile of elder patients attending an outpatient setting of a general hospital

Objetivo: Describir el perfil clínico del adulto mayor atendido ambulatoriamente en un hospital general. Material y métodos: Estudio descriptivo, transversal, realizado a través de encuestas aplicadas a pacientes en la consulta ambulatoria de geriatría del Hospital Nacional Cayetano Heredia (HNCH), entre agosto de 2011 y enero 2012. Resultados: Se evaluaron 290 pacientes, el 69,3% fueron mujeres; el 65,5% tenía entre 60 y 79 años. La hipertensión arterial fue el diagnóstico más frecuente (55,5%). El 83,1% consumía algún tipo de medicamento y el 45% más de 3 fármacos. En la valoración por esferas: el 83,5% era autónomo, el 18,1% tenía deterioro cognitivo, el 7,7% depresión, el 79,3% riesgo social, el 23,8% disfunción familiar, el 31,4% riesgo de malnutrición, el 23,4% obesidad, el 96% mala higiene del sueño y el 4,9% riesgo de caídas. El síndrome geriátrico más frecuente fue caídas en 23,8% y de los problemas geriátricos, el edentulismo en 77,6%; 17,4% eran frágiles según la velocidad de la marcha; se encontró asociación entre fragilidad y edad avanzada, género femenino y la presencia de riesgo social. Conclusión: Los pacientes que acuden a la consulta externa de Geriatría fueron mayoritariamente mujeres, funcionalmente autónomos, sin deterioro cognitivo, con riesgo social y adecuada funcionalidad familiar, prefrágiles y con enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles principalmente.

Objective: To describe the clinical profile of elder patients attending an outpatient setting of a general hospital. Methods: Descriptive and cross-sectional study performed using surveys applied to patients attending Hospital Nacional Cayetano Heredia´s elder outpatient clinic between August 2011 and January 2012. Results: 290 patients were evaluated; 69.3% were females; 65.5% had 60-79 years old. Blood hypertension was the most frequent diagnosis in 55.5%. Use of at least one drug was found in 83.1% and 45% used more than three drugs; 83.5% were autonomous; 18.1% had cognitive deterioration; 7.7% had depression; 79.3% had social risk; 23.8% had dysfunctional families; 31.4% were at risk of malnutrition; 23.4% had obesity and 4.9% had risk of falls. Elderly falls was the most frequent geriatric syndrome (23.8%) and edentulism was the most frequent geriatric problem (77.6%); 17.4% were fragile based on walking speed; an association was found between fragility, advanced age, female gender and social risk. Conclusion: The majority of elder patients attending the outpatient setting were functionally autonomous females, with no cognitive deterioration, adequate family functioning, pre-fragile and with chronic non-transmissible diseases.