Cognitive impairment in diabetic elderly hospitalized in internal medicine in a hospital for a second level of care in Mexico, Distrito Federal

Abstract

Introduction: The WHO estimates that globally there are 250 million people with diabetics, which in México are per 100,000 372 with a higher prevalence in elderly in Mexico, diabetes mellitus type 2 (DMT2) the leading cause of mortality increase by two times the risk of cognitive impairment after six years of the evolution. The nurse is one of his duties and individual and assist individuals and their family in adapting to the changes in health and prevention of further damage. Methods: The study is quantitative, descriptive, observational and prospective, with convenience sample: 100 people with diabetes hospitalized, over 65 years old, which scales were applied: Folstein Mini-Mental (MMSE) and the questionnaire of polypharmacy. The tabulation was via SPSS 19.0. Results: The 39% of the population is between 66 and 70 years, women predominated in 65%, 90% have more than six years of disease onset, 51% had polypharmacy. The 81% obtained a level of cognitive impairment while 19% have a level of normal cognition. The 43% had a mild level of cognitive impairment, 22% had moderate, 19% had a normal cognition and 16% have a severe level of cognitive impairment. Discussion: The 79% has evolved over six years, and therefore cognitive changes. With regard to cognitive impairment, 81% of the population has cognitive impairment is related to diabetes and high risk of dementia. Diabetes mellitus type 2 leads to agravate conditions that are associated with functional dependence as the cognitive impairment. This research seeks to develop a basis for nursing interventions aimed to assess the cognitive status of elderly hospitalized diabetics, to improve the quality of life with the participation of primary caregiver.