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 12%) and dementia (51% vs 30%) in victims of self-neglect compared to patients referred for other reasons. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first primary data study that highlights a high prevalence of depression as well as dementia in mistreated older people. Geriatric clinicians should rule out elder neglect or abuse in their depressed or demented patients.
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