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The health status of the elderly in a St. Petersburg district: Results of the crystal project

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Abstract

Using the Crystal study as an example of an epidemiological study that investigates the global health of the elderly, the potential of a comprehensive geriatric assessment in primary care is illustrated. The results of the first cross-sectional data collection are presented in this paper with emphasis on the global health picture of the elderly; the average age was 75.08 ± 5.96 years. In our study population, one out of four participants was a male. The elderly mostly have a normal nutritional status with an average BMI of 28.6 ± 4.94 kg/m2. On average, each participant has 2 ± 1.27 pathologies, often cardiovascular. In one out of four anemia is present. One third of the participants have symptoms of depression. In 44.4 % of the patients a mild cognitive impairment was revealed. A more severe cognitive deficit was found in 26.2 % of the elderly. Every other old person has difficulties to keep his balance in a supine position for more than 10 seconds. One out of four elderly people are partially dependent in their daily activities. Comprehensive geriatric assessment has the potential to identify priority issues in health care for the elderly and to inspire a management strategy. Further research is needed to create simple instruments and an effective model to identify the real health care needs of the elderly and to improve the quality of care and the successful collaboration between geriatricians and general practitioners.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. St. Petersburg Medical Academy of Postgraduate Studies, ul. Kirochnaya 41, St. Petersburg, 193015, Russia

    N. A. Gurina & E. V. Frolova

  2. Catholic University of Leuven, Leuven, Brussels, Belgium

    J. Degryse

Authors
  1. N. A. Gurina
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  2. E. V. Frolova
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  3. J. Degryse
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Correspondence to N. A. Gurina.

Additional information

Original Russian Text © N.A. Gurina, E.V. Frolova, J. Degryse, 2011, published in Uspekhi Gerontologii, 2011, Vol. 24, No. 1, pp. 114–120.

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Gurina, N.A., Frolova, E.V. & Degryse, J. The health status of the elderly in a St. Petersburg district: Results of the crystal project. Adv Gerontol 1, 356–361 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1134/S2079057011040060

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S2079057011040060

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