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. 2020 Nov 11:37:229.
doi: 10.11604/pamj.2020.37.229.26634. eCollection 2020.

Geriatric syndromes in an urban elderly population in Cameroon: a focus on disability, sarcopenia and cognitive impairment

Marie Josiane Ntsama Essomba  1   2 , Daniel Atsa  3 , Dimitri Zogo Noah  2 , Marylin Zingui-Ottou  1 , Ginette Paula  1 , Jan René Nkeck  2 , Jean Jacques Noubiap  4 , Gloria Ashuntantang  2
Affiliations

Geriatric syndromes in an urban elderly population in Cameroon: a focus on disability, sarcopenia and cognitive impairment

Marie Josiane Ntsama Essomba et al. Pan Afr Med J. .

Abstract

Introduction: geriatric syndromes are multifactorial conditions that are associated with substantial disability, poor quality of life and mortality in the elderly. The patterns of these conditions are poorly described in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates of common geriatric syndromes in Cameroon.

Methods: we conducted a cross-sectional study in the geriatrics unit of a university hospital in Cameroon. All people aged ≥55 who attended a health promotion and screening campaign in September 2019 were included. Geriatric syndromes including functional decline, cognitive impairment and sarcopenia were assessed. We also examined sociodemographic characteristics and comorbidities.

Results: overall, 104 participants were enrolled with median age of 65 (IQR: 62.2 - 70.8). About 67% of participants presented at least one geriatric syndrome. Disability in activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living were present in 10% and 38% of participants respectively and associated factors were male gender (OR 4.7, p=0.005), age 75 and above (OR 5.7, p=0.027), osteoarthritis (OR 3.3, p=0.055) and polypharmacy (OR 7.7, p=0.012). Sarcopenia occurs in 26% with female gender (OR 3.1, p=0.029) and SARC-F ≥4 (OR 4.9, p=0.002) as associated factors. Cognitive impairment was present in 20% of participants and associated with illiteracy (p=0.008).

Conclusion: our study shows a high prevalence of geriatric syndromes in older adults in an urban area. Geriatric principles and frailty awareness should be considered in clinical care of older adults in our setting.

Keywords: Cameroon; Geriatric syndromes; cognitive impairment; disability; sarcopenia.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

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