| Abstract | To determine the extent of under-reporting of musculoskeletal disease among very elderly nursing home patients, 50 Veterans Affairs Nursing Home patients were evaluated by means of retrospective medical chart review. The primary caregivers' charted musculoskeletal examinations were scored objectively; then the patients completed an arthritis questionnaire, a short-form Geriatric Depression Scale assessment, and the Katz Activities of Daily Living Scale assessment. Finally, each patient underwent an objectively scored musculoskeletal examination by a rheumatologist. The results indicated that musculoskeletal disease in the very elderly nursing home patient is more prevalent than self-report or examination by the primary caregiver suggested. Brief but directed arthritis symptom questioning followed by a specialized examination were necessary to diagnose treatable musculoskeletal disease in this population. |
| Authors | P E Prete, N Phan
(Affiliation: Veterans Administration Medical Center, Long Beach, CA, USA.)
|
| Journal | Clinical performance and quality health care
(Clin Perform Qual Health Care)
1996 Apr-Jun
Vol. 4
Issue 2
Pg. 90-5
ISSN: 1063-0279 UNITED STATES |
| PMID | 10156948
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
|
| Topics |
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Arthritis
(diagnosis, epidemiology)
- California
(epidemiology)
- Depression
(diagnosis, epidemiology)
- Hospitals, Veterans
(statistics & numerical data)
- Humans
- Incidence
- Linear Models
- Male
- Musculoskeletal Diseases
(diagnosis, epidemiology)
- Nursing Homes
(statistics & numerical data)
- Patient Participation
- Quality of Life
- Questionnaires
- Veterans
(statistics & numerical data)
|
