Psychometric evaluation of a Spanish language version of the Screen for Caregiver Burden (SCB) in caregivers of patients with mixed, vascular and Alzheimer's dementia.

Aims And Objectives: To validate a Spanish language version of the Screen for Caregiver Burden, the full-length or long (25-item) and short (seven-item) versions in Mexican caregivers of patients with mixed, vascular and Alzheimer's dementia.

Background: Patients with dementia display impaired executive function and neuropsychiatric symptoms such as behavioural changes and sleep disturbances. These symptoms can make patients become more dependent.

[Long-term survival related to cognitive performance in older adults treated at a tertiary hospital level].

Objective: To determine the association between cognitive performance and long-term survival in an elderly Mexican population sample.

Methods: In this retrospective, retrolective and observational study elderly subjects were assessed in the Geriatrics Clinic of the Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición "Salvador Zubirán" between January 1994 and August 1999 using a comprehensive geriatric assessment. All 2544 subjects for whom vitality status was known up to September 2002 were included in the analysis.

Apolipoprotein E epsilon4, Alzheimer's disease, and cognitive performance in elderly Mexican Mestizos.

Objectives: To determine the relationship between apolipoprotein E (APOE) epsilon4 and Alzheimer's disease (AD) in the Mexican Mestizo population, as well as its effects on the cognitive profile of AD and elderly Mestizos without dementia.

Design: Cross-sectional analysis of a cohort study.

Setting: Evaluations were conducted at the geriatrics clinic of an academic medical hospital in Mexico City.

Incidence of delirium, risk factors, and long-term survival of elderly patients hospitalized in a medical specialty teaching hospital in Mexico City.

Background: We determined the incidence, probable risk factors, causes, and long-term survival of delirium in patients hospitalized in a medical specialty teaching hospital in Mexico City.

Method: From June to December 1995, 667 elderly patients 60 years and older were hospitalized and assessed within 48 hours, excluding those with delirium at admission, those sedated, on respiratory support, or unable to speak.

Results: Twelve percent of the population developed delirium, identified by means of the daily application of the Confusion Assessment Method; its appearance was attributed in 50% to two or more causes, in 10% to an insufficient control of pain, in 7.