Health Status of the Elderly in primary care, Bangkok

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to study Health Status of the 445 Elderly who come to receive health screening services in comprehensive Geriatric clinic, the 67^th Public Health Center Thaweewatthana, Health department, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration in the fiscal year 2019. Descriptive study by data reviewed from medical records about personal features and the screening of health status. The data were analyzed using number, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and chi-square test.

                The research findings showed that mean age was 69 + 7.1 years. Most of them were females, graduated primary school and live with spouse, relatives or children. The underlying diseases such as hypertension, dyslipidemia and diabetes. Common health risk behaviors include exercise <3 times/ week, like eating sweet, salty. For health screening found that obesity (body mass index > 25 kg/m²) 42.3%, high blood pressure in the elderly who have never diagnosed 23%, with moderate and higher risk of cardiovascular disease by 84%. Elderly, who has never been diagnosed with diabetes, have fasting plasma glucose levels > 126 mg/dl. 3.3%. Blood lipid levels total Cholesterol > 200 mg/dl 43.9%, triglyceride > 150 mg/dl 29.0%, LDL-Cholesterol > 100 mg/dL 61.3%, eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m² 16.1%, anemia 28% dementia  5.9%, depression 6.8% Malnutrition 2.4%, TUGT > 30 seconds 2.1%, High risk of osteoporosis 41.6%, vision problem 71.1%, Hearing problem 16.1%. Being able to perform daily activities 100% society group, frail 23.4%, 22.1% use herbs, 16.2% use NSAIDs, 23% use drugs which have side effects cause drowsiness. When comparing the age groups of 70-79 years and 80 years and older with 60-69 years of age, it found that the significant increase in age (p <0.05) is hypertension, thin BMI <18.5 kg./m², moderate and higher risk of cardiovascular risk, eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m², dementia, malnutrition (MNA), high risk of osteoporosis, hearing problems and number of permanent teeth < 20. The factors that decreased with age increased significantly (p <0.05) were overweight BMI > 25.0 kg/m², fasting plasma glucose > 126 mg/dl, gingivitis and tartar.