Analysis of clinical and sociodemographic factors involved in older adults' cognition

Background Elderly population is rising significantly in Brazil. It may reach 25.5% of the population by 2060. Cognitive and functional declines may happen during pathological aging process. Low and medium‐income countries tend to present higher dementia growth rate than high‐income countries. The a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Alzheimer's & dementia Vol. 17; no. S7; pp. e056471 - n/a
Main Authors:	Pires, Lívia R, Costa, Mônica Vieira, de Oliveira Hansen, Erika, Pires, Ricardo Lage Guerra Lott, FARIA, KAREN C, Dias, Bruna Fugêncio, Braga, Nayara Rodrigues, Ávila, Rafaela, Bertola, Laiss, Bicalho, Maria Aparecida C
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	United States 01-12-2021
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Summary:	Background Elderly population is rising significantly in Brazil. It may reach 25.5% of the population by 2060. Cognitive and functional declines may happen during pathological aging process. Low and medium‐income countries tend to present higher dementia growth rate than high‐income countries. The aim of this study was to assess whether socio‐demographic and economic indicators are associated with cognitive performance in older adults with normal cognition and with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Method We conducted a transversal study enrolling 69 Brazilian older adults from the outpatient Reference Center for the Elderly of Belo Horizonte ‐ Federal University of Minas Gerais. We included participants with MCI and without cognitive and functional impairment (control group‐NC). All participants were submitted to the same protocol. Sociodemographic and clinical variables were evaluated by self report and medical records. Neuropsychological assessment consisted by the Geriatric Depressive Scale (GDS), Pfeffer Instrumental Daily Living Activities scale (FAQ), Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (DRS), Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) and Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI). We used linear regression to analyze relationship between sociodemographic factors and ageing cognition. Result 69 older adults, 69.6% women, average age of 76.58 (SD ±5.43) years, 4.55 (SD ±3.39) years of formal education were included in our study. Correlation analysis demonstrated that Diabetes Mellitus correlated with memory performance (M). Intelligence quotient (IQ) were associated with executive functions (EF), attention and conceptual abilities (C); years of formal education presented significant association with general cognitive measures (GC); socioeconomical level was associated with GC, EF, attention, construction and conceptualization; parents’ education positively correlated with visuoconstruction and, Occupational level had positive association with GC, attention and conceptualization. Regression analysis indicated IQ level predicts EF and GC in adult life. Education predicted GC, EF, memory and conceptualization. Education also showed a tendency to explain the attention domain. Conclusion Our results suggest sociodemographic factors, such as IQ, education, sociodemographic level, parents’ education and occupational level associate with cognitive abilities. They could act as protection factors for the cognitive decline in elderly. Prospective studies, with larger samples, are needed to evaluate if these factors are able to reduce dementia risk in elderly population of low educational level.
ISSN:	1552-5260 1552-5279
DOI:	10.1002/alz.056471