Functional assessment as a predictor of cognitive impairment: a retrospective cohort study

Translated title of the contribution: Functional assessment as a predictor of cognitive impairment: a retrospective cohort study

Gustavo Alberto Sandival Ampuero, Fernando M. Runzer-Colmenares, José F. Parodi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: It is estimated that major neurocognitive disorders will affect 115.4 million people by 2050, representing a significant financial burden for society. Likewise, functional dependence for basic or instrumental activities of daily life is usually a consequence of the greater prevalence of disabling pathologies, and of the progressive decrease of the physiological reserve due to aging.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the ratio between the functional test and prediction of deterioration of cognitive function in geriatric patients. To determine which factors are associated with decreased cognitive functions in elderly patients.

METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study. We included participants who attended the Geriatrics Outpatient Services of the Naval Medical Center of Peru from 2010 to 2014. Two groups were formed, the first comprised those who presented physiological loss of cognitive functions, defined as the decrease less than 4.1 points in the score of the Mini Mental State Examination during follow-up and a second group who had a pathological loss of cognitive functions, defined as a decrease of 4.2 points in average or more in the Mini Mental State Examination score during follow-up. Patients were followed for four years, performing functional evaluations, as well as collecting data on comorbidities and sociodemographic factors.

RESULTS: We included 368 patients, whose mean age was 75.8 years and 50.91% male. Female gender (53.72%), poor education (62.81%), and comorbidities were statistically more frequent in the pathological cognitive decline group. Functional assessment variables had a worse disease progress through follow-up in the group with pathological disease progress of the Mini Mental State Examination score, including Timed Up and Go Test.

CONCLUSIONS: Score values of Timed Up and Go Test manage to predict the risk of a pathological decrease in Mini Mental State Examination regardless of sociodemographic factors, comorbidities, and functional assessment.

Translated title of the contributionFunctional assessment as a predictor of cognitive impairment: a retrospective cohort study
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)e7099
JournalMedwave
Volume17
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - 12 Dec 2017
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Peruvian
  • cognitive decline
  • dementia
  • elderly

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