Association between functional disability and cognitive deficit in hospitalized elderly patients

Abstract

Introduction: Hospitalization is recognized as a risk factor for the functional decline and cognitive decline of elderly people. However, the association between these variables is still well unestablished, especially in the hospital context. Objective: To verify the association between cognitive deficit and functional disability in hospitalized elderly people. Method: Cross-sectional study with elderly patients admitted to two public hospitals. The presence of cognitive deficit was verified through the Mini-Mental State Examination screening test and the presence of functional disability through the Basic Daily Life Activities Scale. Descriptive sample analysis of the sample and logistic regression was made, estimating the odds ratio values and respective intervals of confidence (95%). Results: The prevalence of cognitive deficit was 51.5% (IC95%, 41,6-61,4) and 37.6% of the elderly had one or more basic activities in their daily living. The results showed that either the number of compromised activities (p=0,002) and the final classification of the Katz index (p=0.001) were statistically different between the groups of elderly people with or without a cognitive deficit. Among the elderly who were partially dependents for activities, 14.9% had a cognitive deficit and 13.9% among those who were fully dependent elderly. Most dependents elderly are 5,08 times (IC95%, 1,84-14,01) more likely to have a cognitive deficit. Conclusion: Cognitive deficits were associated with functional disability and the results collaborate in directing the systematization of early care, to minimize cognitive and functional losses in hospitalization.