Prevalence of Cognitive Impairment among Older Persons Visiting Psychiatry Department of a Tertiary Level Hospital Kathmandu Nepal

Shrestha L, Phuyal N and Rawal NM

Published on: 2024-04-02

Abstract

Background

Cognitive impairment has been found to have a substantial impact on patient’s lives and those close to them. Early recognition allows for diagnosis and appropriate treatment, education and psychosocial support. The aim of our research is to know the prevalence of cognitive impairment among older persons.

Methods

It is a descriptive cross-sectional study done at psychiatry department of a tertiary level hospital of Kathmandu for 6 months’ time duration among 90 samples of older persons. Screening of cognitive impairment was conducted using the Mini Mental State Examination tool (MMSE).

Results

Among the total participants, 50 (55.6%) were female and 40 (44.4%) were male and 70 % had current illness. Comparing the MMSE grading, mild cognitive impairment was seen in 50.0 percent and severe cognitive impairment was seen in 18.9 percent while 31.1 percent of the populations were normal. The overall prevalence of Cognitive impairment was 68.9%.

Conclusions

This study shows high prevalence of cognitive impairment among older persons, which may be due to sample of elderly are those attending psychiatric outpatient department. However, as cognitive impairment associated with frequent increased visit of health services with more risk of progression to dementia and increased mortality, better evidence based documentation of cognitive impairment is essential which would improve not only for diagnostic evaluations but also support patient management, counseling, with better outcomes.