[Association between suspected dementia and transition from diaper use in inpatients undergoing convalescent rehabilitation: A multicenter retrospective cohort study].

Abstract

Aim: The cognitive function is important for activities of daily living (ADL). However, few studies have examined the association between the cognitive function and diaper use in patients admitted to convalescent rehabilitation wards. This study aimed to identify the association between suspected dementia and the transition from diaper use in patients admitted to convalescent rehabilitation wards.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients admitted to convalescent rehabilitation wards across nine hospitals, all of whom used tape diapers. Suspected dementia was defined as a score of ≤20 on the revised Hasegawa Simplified Intelligence Scale, and transition from diaper use was defined as the use of rehabilitation or cloth pants. A binomial logistic regression analysis was used to examine this association between suspected dementia and the transition from diaper use.

Results: We included 100 patients with cerebrovascular disease (male, 52%; median age, 81 years; prevalence of suspected dementia, 65%), 112 patients with musculoskeletal disease (male, 22.3%; median age, 87 years; prevalence of suspected dementia, 40.2%), and 52 patients with disuse syndrome (male, 46.2%; median age, 85 years; prevalence of suspected dementia, 75%). Suspected dementia was significantly associated with the transition from diaper use in patients with cerebrovascular disease (adjusted odds ratio[aOR], 0.30; 95% confidence interval[CI], 0.11-0.86; p=0.024), musculoskeletal disease (aOR, 0.15, 95% CI, 0.05-0.46; p<0.001), and disuse syndrome (aOR, 0.10; 95% CI, 0.01-0.79; p=0.029).

Conclusions: Suspected dementia was negatively associated with transition from diaper use in patients admitted to convalescent rehabilitation wards. The assessment of suspected dementia may be useful in determining intervention policies for transitioning from diaper use.