Cognitive and affective assessment and multiple pathologies in institutionalized elderly

Summary Studies were carried out using the mini mental state examination (MMSE) and the geriatric depression scale (GDS) in 71 elderly patients, in order to establish eventual correlations between cognitive deficit, depression and multiple pathologies. This examination was part of a multidimensional evaluation involving patients over 65 years of age hospitalized in the Department of Clinical Medicine. The patients were divided into 5 grades on the basis of the extent ot functional impairments (from Grade 0 to Grade IV) (British Columbia Classification). Mean MMSE and GDS scores, as well as the mean of the multiple pathologies were calculated in each group. As all the MMSE items could not always be applied, we used a score obtained by dividing the maximum score accomplished by the maximum score applicable. No MMSb impairment was present in 94.11 % of the Grade 0 patients, in 57.14 % of the Grade I, in 37.5 % of the Grade II, and in 40 % of the Grade III patients. However, impairment was present in all the Grade IV patients. GDS analysis revealed no depression in 82.35 % of Grade 0 patients, in 21.43 % Grade I, in 50 % Grade II, in 16 % Grade III patients. However, some degree of depression was present in all Grade IV patients. The occurrence of patients affected by multiple pathologies was as follows: 1–2 pathologies were recorded in 47.06 % of Grade 0 patients, in 57.14 % Grade I, in 37.5 % Grade II, in 36 % Grade III, and in 57.14 % of Grade IV patients.