[Determinants of dementia in the advanced old age elderly].

The development of civilization and progress in medicine made the prolongation of the life span and increased share of the advanced old age people in the population. The consequence of this process is growth in frequency of diseases related to age including dementia. However diagnosis of cognitive impairment is still difficult and it makes some problems in an everyday medical practice. The aim of this report is to define main and significant determinants of dementia basing on the MMSE scale. This could make it easier to suspect the cognitive disorders to make indepth diagnosis and to start earlier therapy. The sample consisted of 124 community dwelling persons 75-year old and over. 64 of them were mildly, moderately or severely demented according to Katzman scale administered previously and 60 were intellectually intact. The both groups of persons were tested with MMSE. Geriatric Depression Scale, ADL scale (EASY-Care questionnaire) and short internal and neurological examination. The multiple regression model were used, where dependent variable was the MMSE score and independent variables social-demographic data, ADL and GSD scales and data from interview and medical examination. 72 variables were included to the model and 39 of them were significantly connected with cognitive impairment. The valid factors explained dementia in 78.7% (adjusted R2 = 0.787). The strongest connection was found with (1) an ignorance of own date of birth, (2) low education level, (3) behaviour disorders and (4) an advanced old age. These determinants, including difficulties with handling own money, have explained dementia in 57%. The presence such symptoms could make easier to suspect the cognitive disorders, to make in-depth diagnosis, and to start earlier therapy.