Functional Status in Relation to Common Geriatric Syndromes and Sociodemographic Variables – A Step Forward Towards Healthy Aging

Purpose: Geriatric syndromes (GS) are prevalent in the older population, with an impact on morbidity and disability. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of functional dependence and ten GS in community older adults and to examine the different associations between these syndromes and sociodemographic variables and their impact on functional dependence.
Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional study of 342 outpatients seen at the geriatric clinic in the period 2015– 2023.
Results: The mean age was 75± 7.4. One-third had functional dependence and 96.2% had at least one GS. The mean number of GS was 3.11± 1.74, ranging from 2.56± 1.67 in the 60s to 3.55± 1.70 in octogenarians. The most common GS found were polypharmacy (79.5%), musculoskeletal pain (49.7%), and Major Neurocognitive Disorder (MND) (32.7%). Polypharmacy was significantly associated with female sex and chronic pain, whereas sensory impairment was associated with male sex. MND, dizziness, and urinary incontinence were the only GS that significantly predicted functional dependence and were typically associated with increasing age.
Conclusion: Functional dependence increases as individuals age, paralleled by increases in MND, urinary incontinence, dizziness, sensory impairment, and constipation. Notably, only MND, incontinence, depression, and dizziness were significant predictors of functional dependence. Consequently, it is imperative to screen older adults presenting with these syndromes for early signs of functional decline to optimize their function and avert subsequent dependence, morbidity, and mortality.

Keywords: geriatric syndromes, functional dependence, elderly/older, ADL, Katz Index