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Cognitive impairment associated with drug use in old age people
- E. Ros-Cucurull, C. Cardona-Rubira, E. García-Raboso, R.F. Palma-Álvarez, L. Grau-López, C. Daigre, L. Rodríguez-Cintas, M. Sorribes-Puertas, R. Martínez-Arias, A. Cuautle, M.B. Ortiz-Medina, C. Fadeuilhe, C. Jacas, M. Casas, C. Roncero
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- Journal:
- European Psychiatry / Volume 41 / Issue S1 / April 2017
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 23 March 2020, p. s876
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Introduction
Substance use disorder is a growing phenomenon among old adults. It is usually significantly undervalued, misidentified, under diagnosed and poorly treated. It has been related to cognitive impairment but there are few studies focused on the elderly.
AimTo evaluate the relationship between drug use and cognitive impairment in old adults.
MethodsWe conducted a prospective study (basal and 6 month follow up) in 67 patients over 65 years old seeking for treatment for drug misuse (alcohol and prescription drugs, mainly benzodiacepines) in addiction and dual diagnosis unit in Barcelona. A specific protocol was performed to evaluate attention, executive function, working memory, learning capacity, fonetic and visual fluency, decision-making, visual construction and cognitive flexibility (FCT, CPT-II, N-BACK, COWAT FAS, TAP, SDMT, IGT, CVLT, TOL, RFFT, STROOP). Patients were compared with a control group (healthy non drug users) with same characteristics (gender, age range and education status). The protocol consisted in two separated sessions of 90 minutes each one performed by a neuropsychologist.
ResultsResults obtained suggested that patients under drug misuse had worse scores in fluency, visual construction, memory and attention compared with controls. After 6 month treatment and achieving abstinence patients improve in cognitive skills as verbal learning, short-term memory and free recall of verbal information. Cognitive impairment profile changes depending on the substance abused (alcohol or benzodiacepines).
ConclusionsDrug use can produce deleterious effects in old adults. However, those who achieve abstinence may improve some cognitive functioning as verbal learning, short-term memory and free recall of verbal information.
Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Related factors with substance use in old adults
- E. Ros-Cucurull, C. Daigre, L. Grau-Lopez, C. Barral, A.C. Abad, M.B. Ortiz, R. Martinez-Arias, E. Garcia, C. Cardona, C. Jacas, M. Casas, C. Roncero
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- Journal:
- European Psychiatry / Volume 33 / Issue S1 / March 2016
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 23 March 2020, p. S315
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- Article
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- You have access Access
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Intro
Substance use disorder is a growing phenomenon among the elderly. It is undervalued, misidentified, underdiagnosed and poorly treated.
AimStudy prevalence, characteristics and risk factors associated with drug use among the elderly.
MethodA 6-month prospective study of substance use in elderly patients (65+) who attended the addiction and dual diagnosis unit, Vall d’Hebron University Hospital.
ResultsFifty-nine patients evaluated, mean age 70.04 years, 60% men. A total of 49.1% are married, 35.8% divorced and 53.8% live with a partner and/or children. A total of 67.3% have basic studies and 78.8% are pensioners. A total of 82.7% have no criminal record.
Medical comorbidity presents in 90.4% of the sample, psychiatric and addictive family background in 42.3% and 37.3%. A total of 67.3% have comorbid Axis I (mainly affective disorders) and 25% Axis II (cluster B most). A total of 7.7% attempted suicide at least once.
The main substance is alcohol (76.9%), followed by prescription drugs (19.3%). A total of 28.8% are multi-drug users. A total of 67.3% have used tobacco in their life and 63.5% are currently dependent. The average age of onset for a disorder for any substance consumption is 28.19, being lower for alcohol and illegal substances and higher for prescription drugs.
A total of 61.5% have gone through treatment before but only 32.7% has been admitted because of addiction. The adherence rate is 90.4% and the relapse rate 8.3% at first month and 13% at 6 months.
ConclusionsOld adults present differences compared to overall drug user population: prevalence by gender is almost equal, lower Axis II, less multi-drug consumption and both dropout and relapse rate are drastically lower.
Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.