Prevalence and risk factors of suspicion abuse in elder population

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: We determined the prevalence and associated risk factors in the suspicion of elder abuse in the old population. PATIENTS AND METHOD: We included a total of 209 patients : 72 years of age without cognitive deterioration (score in test of Pfeiffer <= 4 points). The questionnaire of suspicion of elder abuse used was one recommended by the Canadian Task Force and the American Medical Association; it consists of 9 questions and the presence of a positive answer is considered as indicative of suspicion of abuse. RESULTS: The prevalence of suspicion of elder abuse was 52.6% (at least one positive answer to the questionnaire). 8.6% affirmatively responded to 2 questions and 2% to 3. Female gender, widowhood, deficiency of studies, living alone or in institutions and having exerted a remunerated work were the associated variables in the bivariant analysis with regard to the suspicion of abuse. In the model of logistic regression, there was a significant association with the civil status and the coexistence of the familiar nucleus, with a greater risk of elder abuse in unmarried and/or widowers (p < 0.001) and in those living alone (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: There is a high prevalence of suspicion of elder abuse in the old population.