Prevalence, co-existence, and factors related to a change in geriatric giant syndromes over 2 years: results of the Second Wave of Cognition of Older People, Education, Recreational Activities, NutritIon, Comorbidities, fUnctional Capacity Studies (COPERNICUS).

Abstract

Background: We prospectively examined the prevalence, co-existence, and change of geriatric giant syndromes in older people over 2 years.

Methods: Two hundred and five older subjects were examined before and after 2 years. Ten geriatric giants were assessed at both time points: cognitive impairment, depression, orthostatic hypotension, polypharmacy, sarcopenia, dynapenia, falls, chronic pain, faecal and urinary incontinence.

Results: Chronic pain, cognitive impairment, and urinary incontinence were three of the most commonly occurring geriatric giants at baseline (57%, 46%, and 40%). The presence of faecal incontinence, urinary incontinence, falls, depression, cognitive impairment, orthostatic hypotension, and polypharmacy was most strongly related to the number of geriatric giants in total at baseline (P < 0.05). A higher intake of dietary antioxidants by one point was related to fewer geriatric giants after 2 years (by 0.04, after adjusting for confounding factors (P = 0.03)).

Conclusions: Geriatric giant syndromes tend to co-exist and change with high variability over 2 years. Higher intake of antioxidants with diet could be related to fewer geriatric giants over time.