A retrospective study of factors affecting the severity of dementia in patients

Abstract Background: Currently, Taiwan has entered a super-aged society. Therefore, the number of people suffering from dementia and the social burden are expected to increase. Moreover, effectively reducing the risk factors for dementia and preventing and detecting its occurrence at an early stage will become an important issue. Objectives: This study aimed to explore the factors related to dementia severity in patients. Methods: Data from 183 patients with dementia were obtained from the case management database in 2020 and analyzed using t test, analysis of variance, Pearson product–moment correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis. Results: The average age of patients was 81.98 years, and most of them were female, 80–89 years old, illiterate, married, and well-off. The average number of comorbidities was 2.24. Most patients with dementia generally met the conditions for dementia in the comprehensive geriatric assessment and severity. Significant differences and correlations were observed between sex and some health habits, medical conditions, medication status, health problems, and comprehensive assessments (independence of activities of daily living, nutritional status, frailty, depression, and cognitive status) in severity (risk factors, borderline personality, memory performance, emotional symptoms, and psychiatric symptoms). Diabetes, hypertension, depressive condition, frailty, painkillers, and communication disorders each had a significant impact on severity. Conclusion: Many factors affect dementia. To prevent this disease, it is necessary to maintain good lifestyle habits, engage in more mentally challenging activities, engage in social interactions, and deal with health problems early.