查看文章

BACKGROUND: The risk factors for mistreatment of older people include age, race, low income, functional or cognitive impairment, a history of violence, and recent stressful events. There is little information in the literature concerning the clinical profile of mistreated older people.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the characteristics of abused or neglected patients and to compare the prevalence of depression and dementia in neglected patients with that of patients referred for other reasons.

DESIGN: A case control study.

SETTING: Baylor College of Medicine Geriatrics Clinic at the Harris County Hospital District (Houston, Texas).

PATIENTS: Forty‐seven older persons referred for neglect and 97 referred for other reasons.

INTERVENTION: Comprehensive geriatric assessment.

MEASUREMENTS: Standard geriatric assessment tools.

RESULTS: There was a statistically significant higher prevalence of depression (62% vs …