Investigation Of Chronic Diseases And Geriatric Syndromes In The Community-dwelling Elder People In Beijing

Objective To investigate the health status among community-dwelling older adults living in Beijing for the purpose of managing chronic disease and geriatric syndromes (GS), as well as providing some references for health care reform.Methods Community-dwelling older adults aged over 65 years from 4 communities in Xiangheyuan districts of Beijing were investigated by questionnaires. Information including demographic factors chronic diseases, geriatric syndromes, as well as physical function were collected.Results 1187 older adults aged between 65 and 98 were enrolled. The median age is 76 years old, and the mean age is 75.7±7.0 years old, with 561 males and 626 females. The most common chronic diseases were hypertension (611,51.5%), osteoarthropathy (439,37.0%), and diabetes mellitus(251,21.1%). Among the subjects,85.6%(1016) had at least one chronic diseases,57% (676) had two or more chronic diseases,29.1% (345) had three or more chronic diseases. The median numbers of geriatric syndrome were 4 (0-12), and 97.2%(1154/1187) of the older adults had at least one geriatric syndrome. The number of chronic diseases were positively correlated with the number of geriatric syndrome (P<0.001, R=0.360). Physical function of the older adults with 3 or more chronic diseases were worse than the group with fewer chronic diseases (≥3 vs<3, X2=21.56, P<0.001). The function of the subjects also declined with the increasing number of chronic diseases, and more obviously declined with the increasing number of geriatric syndromes (number of geriatric syndromes vs Barthel-activities of daily living score, P<0.001, R=-0.438; number of chronic diseases vs Barthel-ADL score, P< 0.001, R=-0.140).Conclusions Chronic diseases and GS were common among community-dwelling older adults, and the chronic diseases and GS are correlated in number. The number of chronic diseases and GS were correlated negatively with physical performances of those older adults, with GS more obviously. There is an imperative need for effective management of both chronic diseases and geriatric syndromes so as to improve the function of the elderly.