Dependence for doing advanced and technological activities as a predictor of neurocognitive disorders in older adults

BACKGROUND: Evidence supports that activities regarding optimization of neuroplasticity, including advanced and technological activities of daily living, are strongly recommended for cognitive impairment prevention. OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between technological and advanced activities of daily life and the development of cognitive impairment. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective cohort study, secondary database analysis from January to December 2018, in which the association between advanced activities of daily life, technological activities in addition to other covariates, and the development of cognitive impairment in patients older than 59 years treated at the Geriatric Service in Centro Medico Naval of Peru was evaluated. RESULTS: A disability frequency of 35% (131) was found for advanced activities of daily life and 38% (144) for technological activities. In a bivariate analysis, an incidence of cognitive impairment was observed above 90% in the participants with dependence for both activities. In Cox analysis, according to adjusted model, belonging to the lower age group, decreases risk of cognitive impairment, two or more comorbidities increased it by 7%, and the functional dependence variables were significantly associated with the risk of cognitive impairment. CONCLUSIONS: Having both, advanced and activities technological of daily life, dependence increase, in adjusted models, the risk of cognitive impairment.