Geriatric syndromes in an urban elderly population in Cameroon: a focus on disability, sarcopenia and cognitive impairment

The Pan African Medical Journal

Jean Jacques Noubiap¹  Gloria Ashuntantang²  Dimitri Zogo Noah²  Jan René Nkeck²  Marylin Zingui-Ottou³  Ginette Paula³  Marie Josiane Ntsama Essomba³  Daniel Atsa⁴ 

[1] Center for Heart Rhythm Disorders, University of Adelaide and Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, Australia;Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon;Geriatric Unit, Yaoundé Central Hospital, Yaoundé, Cameroon;Yaoundé Emergencies Center, Yaoundé, Cameroon;

关键词: geriatric syndromes;    disability;    sarcopenia;    cognitive impairment;    cameroon;   

DOI  :  10.11604/pamj.2020.37.229.26634

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

INTRODUCTION: geriatric syndromes are multfifactorial conditions that are associated with substantial disability, poor quality of life and mortality in the elderly. The patterns of these conditions are poorly described in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates of common geriatric syndromes in Cameroon. METHODS: we conducted a cross-sectional study in the Geriatrics Unit of a university hospital in Cameroon. All people aged 55 who attended a health promotion and screening campaign on September 2019 were included. Geriatric syndromes including functional decline, cognitive impairment and sarcopenia were assessed. We also examined sociodemographic characteristics and comorbidities. RESULTS: overall, 104 participants were enrolled with median age of 65 (IQR: 62.2 - 70.8). About 67% of participants presented at least one geriatric syndrome. Disability in activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living were present in 10% and 38% respectively and associated factors were male gender (OR 4.7, p=0.005), age 75 and above (OR 5.7, p= 0.027), osteoarthritis (OR 3.3, p=0.055) and polypharmacy (OR 7.7, p=0.012). Sarcopenia occurs in 26% with female gender (OR 3.1, p=0.029) and SARC-F 4 (OR 4.9, p=0.002) as associated factors. Cognitive impairment was present in 20% of participants and associated with illiteracy (p=0.008). CONCLUSION: our study shows a high prevalence of geriatric syndomes in older adults in an urban area. Geriatric principles and frailty awarness should be considered in clinical care of older adults in our setting.

【 授权许可】

Unknown