Factor-analysis results for the relationship of sociodemographic and clinical and functional indicators with the probability of detection of age-related diseases in the population of northwestern Russia

• Published in: Advances in gerontology 2014-04, Vol.4 (2), p.128-133
• Main Authors: Kuprianova, V. A., Zakharchuk, A. G., Zherebtsov, S. V., Spivak, I. M., Spivak, D. L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Disease; Geriatrics/Gerontology; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health
• ISSN: 2079-0570; 2079-0589
• DOI: 10.1134/S2079057014020106

On the basis of factor analysis using the PCA (principal component analysis) technique an attempt was made to identify the determinants of pathology development in old and elderly patients with an estimate of their influence on the population of northwest Russia. Medical data records of 712 patients aged from 59 to 98 of both genders were analyzed. It was established that factor 1 is associated with marital status, living conditions, family relationships, bad habits, appearance, diet, hearing and visual impairment, and intestinal dysrhythmia, ability to move, and sleep disorders. Factor 2 accounted for aging-related diseases, such as cerebral stroke, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrhythmia, diabetes, kidney disease, obesity, thyroid disease, Parkinson’s disease, lung diseases, anemia, arthrosis, osteoporosis, the number of surgeries, and joint diseases. Factor 3 was found to be associated with self-care ability before and after hospitalization with the MMSE estimate of the mental state of patients after hospitalization. It is concluded that the development of age-related diseases (especially pathologies of the musculoskeletal system) is associated with the social characteristics and living conditions of patients and that the treatment for most age-related diseases requires consideration of comorbidity.