A Study On Social Supports In The Elderly And Patients With Alzheimer’s Disease From Yanlou Of Shandong Province

Objective:To investigate the status of social supports and related factors in elderly and patients with Alzheimer’s disease from Yanlou of Shandong Province.And then explore the associations between social supports and cognitive function.Methods:This was a cross-sectional study which is divided into two phases.We conducted an epidemiologic survey on residents aged 65 and older in Yanlou,Yanggu,Liaocheng,Shandong Province in August and December of 2014 and November of 2015.According to NIA-AA(National Institute of Aging and Alzheimer’s Association)criteria,MCI and AD dementia were diagnosed,and amnestic MCI,a subtype of MCI,was further selected.Investigate materials included general qustionnaire including basic information,Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE),Social Support Revalued Scale(SSRS) and so on.Results:According to the inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria,2212 people were included in our analysis,of which 1860 (84.1%) were of normal cognitive function,234(10.6%)patients with aMCI and 118(5.3%)with AD dementia.The total scores of social support,the scores of objective and subjective social support in the group of normal cognitive function were significantly higher than both aMCI and AD dementia population (P<0.01); Further analysis of the results showed that living alone or not of objective social support, relationship with colleagues and supports from family members played an important part (P<0.05). No significance was observed at the total scores of social support,the objective and subjective social support between aMCI and AD dementia population(P>0.05).No significance was observed at the utilization of social supports between the three groups(P>0.05),but participating in group activities or not showed significantly difference between normal, aMCI and AD dementia (P<0.05). Spearman correlation analysis revealed that the total score of social support and the MMSE score were significantly positively correlated (r=0.225, P<0.001).Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that there were associations between age (OR=1.038,95%CI 1.007 to 1.070), education (OR=4.602,95%CI 1.840 to 11.515), social support (OR=0.963,95%CI 0.932 to 0.994) and AD.Furthermore,the impact of social support on the risk of developing AD is as big as age. Stepwise regression analysis showed that MMSE, age,negative life events.marital status,diabetes,profession and sex have an influence on the social support of normal cognitive function;age has an influence on social support of aMCI patients;marital status has an influence on social support of AD patients.Conclusion:1.Generally,the status of social support of Yanlou is relatively good,and most elderly people have great support experiences.However,the old people’s source of social support is unitary, the utilization degree is not high,and there are few social activities and old-age care institutions.Family mode still takes a leadng role.2.Low level of social support is a risk factor of AD.The level of social support,especially objective and subjective social support,can predict the risk of developing cognitive impairment or AD dementia.3.We should encourage the elderly to live with family members, participate in social activities actively. Family members or care givers should take good care of the old people.As one of an amenable risk factors,interventions of social support are of great importance for postponing or even preventing the onset of AD.