Patterns of mental disorders among the elderly in a Korean rural community

This study reports the overall prevalence of cognitive impairment and other mental dysfunctions. In Kangwha County, Korea, noninstitutionalized persons aged 65 and older, selected by a stratified two-stage cluster sampling, were interviewed by trained lay interviewers using the Korean version of Older Americans Resources and Services (K-OARS) and Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE). Overall, 17% of the population had mild cognitive impairment and 3% had severe cognitive impairment. Self-reports, self-ratings and interviewer ratings of various mental problems and symptoms included in the questionnaire were investigated as variables. Differences in the prevalence rate of various mental problems and symptoms according to a set of demographic variables were examined.