Espino D V, Burge S K
Department of Family Practice, University of Texas Health Service Center, Antonio 78284.
Fam Med. 1989 May-Jun;21(3):191-4.
The Mexican-American elderly have long been a focus of interest as a unique ethnic subgroup. A paucity of data, however, exists concerning Mexican-Americans in extended care facilities. The current retrospective study, conducted at a community based nursing facility, compared medical records of 54 Mexican-Americans to 30 non-Hispanic whites (Anglos). The records were reviewed with respect to demographics, major/minor diagnoses, functional status, and mental status data. Several differences were noted. Mexican-Americans were significantly more functionally impaired (mean = 22.2) than Anglos (mean = 20.0, P = .008). Further, Mexican-Americans demonstrated a significantly higher degree of mental impairment (mean = 3.2) than Anglos (mean = 2.3, P = .040). Finally, investigators noted that although statistically nonsignificant, a greater percentage of Mexican-Americans (40.7%) suffered cerebrovascular attacks (CVAs) than did Anglos (23.3%, P = .11). These results indicate that Mexican-Americans are entering nursing homes more functionally and mentally impaired than their Anglo counterparts, due in part perhaps to CVAs. This study suggests that an extended family structure may help Mexican-Americans stay in the community until greater degrees of disabilities have been reached.
长期以来，墨西哥裔美国老年人作为一个独特的族裔亚群体一直是人们关注的焦点。然而，关于长期护理机构中的墨西哥裔美国人的数据却很匮乏。目前在一家社区护理机构进行的这项回顾性研究，将54名墨西哥裔美国人的医疗记录与30名非西班牙裔白人（盎格鲁人）的记录进行了比较。对记录中的人口统计学、主要/次要诊断、功能状态和精神状态数据进行了审查。发现了一些差异。墨西哥裔美国人的功能障碍程度（平均 = 22.2）明显高于盎格鲁人（平均 = 20.0，P = 0.008）。此外，墨西哥裔美国人的精神障碍程度（平均 = 3.2）明显高于盎格鲁人（平均 = 2.3，P = 0.040）。最后，研究人员指出，尽管在统计学上不显著，但墨西哥裔美国人（40.7%）患脑血管意外（CVA）的比例高于盎格鲁人（23.3%，P = 0.11）。这些结果表明，墨西哥裔美国人进入养老院时的功能和精神障碍程度比他们的盎格鲁同龄人更高，这可能部分归因于脑血管意外。这项研究表明，扩展的家庭结构可能有助于墨西哥裔美国人留在社区，直到出现更严重的残疾程度。
