HEALTH STATUS OF PATIENTS WITH ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE IN A PUBLIC HOSPITAL IN FEDERAL DISTRICT

Abstract

Introduction: Currently, the world’s population is increasing its longevity, which represents an increase in the level of the elderly population. One of the biggest concerns about the psychological health of the elderly is the progression of the disease known as Alzheimer's. Objective: To assess the health status of patients suffering with Alzheimer's disease. Method: Retrospective descriptive study conducted at Hospital Regional da Asa Norte (HRAN) from August of 2012 to November of the same year. Data collection was performed by clinical records of the Appointment Booking and Medical Archive HRAN of elderly patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, treated between April 2011 and April 2012. We used nutritional assessment sheets Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) and neuropsychological assessment sheets as the cognitive assessment Mini-Mental State (MMS) of Folstein as well as the form of the Geriatric Depression (EDG) analysis and Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR), "CDR Hughes ". Results: It was observed, after analyzing eighty reports, that 2.50% (n = 4) of the elderly were malnourished and 18.75% (n = 12) were at risk of undernourishment; 13, 75% (n = 11) of the elderly had dementia and 7.50% (n = 6) with cognitive impairment due to depression. Conclusion: The results point out that undernourishment (or the risk of it), dementia, cognitive impairment and light or moderated depression. However, it must be said that the absence of some information on the reports made this study more limited.