Study On Association Between Health Condition And Cognitive Function Among The Elderly

ObjectiveTo study the influence factors of cognitive decline in the elderly, to explore the relationship between health status and cognitive function in the elderly, and to make early diagnosis for prevention of Alzheimer’s disease.MethodsA total of 3780 people (≥60 years) were included in this research. The Abbreviated Mental Test (AMT), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and a questionnaire designed ourselves were uses for investigating the cognitive function, psychological condition, general condition and diseases. Moreover, blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis. The data was entered into the Epidata3.1, and the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 18.0 was used to analyze data from the questionnaire and the laboratory. P-value of<0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Using chi-square test and logistic regression analysis to explore the association between elderly health status and cognitive function.ResultsAmong all the elderly people included, there were 503 cases of cognitive impairment, accounting for 13.31%. Age, female, hyperlipemia and psychological depression are dangerous factors. The OR values and the 95% CI are female (2.26 (1.76-2.90)), every one age (1.10 (1.09-1.12)), hyperlipemia (2.03 (1.15-3.59)), psychological mild depression (2.85 (2.09-3.89)), psychological moderate depression (3.75 (1.78-7.92)), psychological severe depression (7.61 (1.31-44.23)), (p<0.05); On the contrary, high-level of education and high-level of uric acid are protective factors for cognitive impairment. The OR values and the 95% CI are high-level of uric acid (0.66 (0.49,0.84)), primary school and secondary school (0.45 (0.35-0.58)), high school/technical secondary school/junior college/college or above (0.43 (0.19-0.96)). (P<0.05) However, resting heart rate, BMI index, creatinine level, glycerol three lipid level, serum total cholesterol level, high density lipoprotein level, low density lipoprotein level, hypertension prevalence, diabetes prevalence, heart disease, the comorbidity of diabetes and hypertension, the comorbidity of diabetes and heart disease and the comorbidity of heart disease and hypertension have no statistically significant difference to the elderly cognitive function impairment. (P>0.05)ConclusionHealth factors, such as physiological, psychological conditions, diseases and biochemical indicators are associated to the cognitive function among the elderly. We need to focus on and improve the elderly health condition, helping them keep good mood to reduce the cognitive impairment.