Assessment of Dementia Risk and Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients Hospitalised in Geriatric Wards

Background: Dementia is a common disease in the elderly, and its prevalence continues to increase worldwide. A significant proportion of patients with dementia are hospitalised due to comorbidities. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) reflects overall health and is used in clinical trials, economic evaluations, and population health studies. The aim of this study was to assess the risk of depression and quality of life related to the health status of patients hospitalised in geriatric wards. Methods: The study was conducted in geriatric wards of hospitals in the Lublin Region. A total of 308 patients aged 65-98 years participated in the study. Results: The NOSGER scale evaluation of patients was at the average level of 75.82 points. The seniors surveyed functioned best in the area of disruptive behaviours (average 9.45 points), and the greatest deficits were found in the area of instrumental activities of everyday life (15.95 points). The cohort of patients assessed their overall quality of life at the average level of 3.16 ± 0.78 points and their health status at 2.44 ± 0.77 points. The highest scores were given to the social domain (59.52 ± 13.69) and the environmental domain (56.96 ± 1.95). Conclusions: The study group of patients hospitalised in geriatric wards showed a moderate risk of dementia. In areas relevant to the diagnosis of such changes (memory, emotions, disruptive behaviours), patients functioned at a fairly good level. The quality of life of the patients was assessed as poor. The level of psychophysical functioning had a significant impact on the perceived quality of life of the patients hospitalised in geriatric wards.