Use of comprehensive geriatric assessment in general practice: results from the 'Senta Pua' project in Brazil

General practitioners (GPs) are responsible for most of elderly consultations in Brazil. Being aware of the needs of older adults is important for these professionals. A comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) is an important tool for assessing the elderly.

The aim of this study was to evaluate (a) whether a CGA can identify previously unknown health problems, and (b) whether a CGA is accepted by elderly patients.

We conducted a cross-sectional study by inviting all outpatients of the Sao Paulo Air Force Hospital aged 60 years and older to participate. Consenting patients were examined using a CGA. Health problems revealed by the assessment were compared to those previously known from the patients' charts. Patients' acceptability of the CGA was evaluated by a short questionnaire.

170 patients were included in the final analysis. Mean age was 75.7 years (SD: 8.0 years), 65.8% was female. On average, patients had 3.2 (SD: 1.9) geriatric problems gleaned from their charts and 9.0 (SD: 3.2) revealed by CGA. The most common health problems disclosed by the CGA were pneumococcal vaccination more than 3 years earlier, followed by sleep disorder, sedentarism, urinary incontinence, fall risk and cognitive impairment. The mean duration of CGA was 52 min and patient acceptability was high.

The present study using the CGA in a population of patients aged 60 and above disclosed, on average, 6 medical problems previously unknown to the GP. The acceptability by patients was good.