Depression and cognitive impairment in the presence/absence of senile asthenia

The increase in the prevalence of cognitive impairment (CI) and depression, which are closely associated with senile asthenia (SA), is a pressing problem of geriatrics. The relationship of this pathology to the presence or absence of SA was studied using the comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) technique in 300 patients divided into 3 equal age groups: elderly patients, senile patients, and long-livers. After analysis of case histories and outpatient records in all the groups, the patients with presumptive SA were selected according to the “Age is No Hindrance" screening scale (a total score of >3). The MiniCog test (a 3-word recall test and a clock drawing test) was used to evaluate cognitive functions; the geriatric depression scale (>5 positive answers to 15 questions) was employed to diagnose depression. It has been shown that the incidence of SA increases with age, with women predominating among the patients. Depression is detected at the age of 65-74 years in every three patients, and by the age of 85-90 years in more than 50% of those making their outpatient visit. The presence of SA substantially affects the prevalence of depression. It is more expedient to use the clock drawing test as a screening study to identify mild CI; the word recall test can detect CI associated with impaired memory function. Hypertension is widespread in all groups regardless of the presence of SA, and the prevalence of diabetes mellitus decreases with age.

gerontology, neurology, senile asthenia, cognitive impairment, depression