Clinical and sociodemographic characteristics of patients with Neurocognitive Disorder (NCD) (dementia) at the Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz National Institute of Psychiatry (INPRFM) Psychogeriatrics Clinic in Mexico City, between 2011 and 2020.

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundThe demographic and epidemiological transition, increased life expectancy and decreased fertility rate have increased the prevalence of dementia that affects 55 million people worldwide; it is estimated to affect 75 million by 2030 and increase three times by 2050. The clinical and sociodemographic characteristics of the studied population are unknown. It is the first study of its kind in the region. It’s also an unaddressed issue where an exploratory type protocol was carried out and a hypothesis was not formulated.MethodsDescriptive, observational, cross‐sectional, retrospective study. A Mexican population database including subjects from a previous work was created and then a secondary analysis was made. Every patient diagnosed with NCD was included regardless of age and with a clinical, psychiatric and/or geriatric syndrome diagnosis. No instrument or scale was used. There was no funding. Statistical analysis was done in SPSS 20.0.Results2056 records were found, 675 met the inclusion criteria. Age 74.71 (±9.02) years, from the urban area 93.78% (n = 633), women 72.15% (n = 487), primary school 49.90% (n = 243), widows 37.99% (n = 185), household occupation 77.21% (n = 376), low socioeconomic status 57.08% (n = 278). 59.86% (n = 404) had a major NCD, MMSE of 18.88 points (±6.68), Alzheimer’s disease was present in 31.56% (n = 213) both in those under 60 years of age 25.64% (n = 10) and in those older than 60 years old 31.92% (n = 203). Mild NCD was present in 9.19% (n = 62), the diagnosis was ruled out in 3.11% (n = 21) and a diagnosis could not be concluded in 25.93% (175). The most common psychiatric pathologies were Depressive and anxious disorder with 80.00% (n = 540) and 9.19% (n = 62) respectively; Clinical diagnosis were Arterial Hypertension 50.07% (n = 338), diabetes mellitus 22.22% (n = 150) and geriatric syndromes in 14.57% (n = 218).ConclusionThe study analyzes the characteristics of the clinic’s patients. The first of its kind which differentiates it from population based studies. The results are not intended to be extrapolated to the general population. Due to limitations in the diagnostic process of dementias, there were no diagnostic methods such as biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid, functional or genetic neuroimaging. The intention is to promote dementia research and highlight the extent of the problem to Latinamerican Governments.