title: Prevalence of cognitive and functional impairment in an elderly Puerto Rican population.
abstract: Data from the Gurabo census of the elderly, 1987-1988 (n = 1890) were analyzed to determine the prevalence rates for cognitive and functional impairment in that population. Besides socio-demographic questions, the census questionnaire included the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire to determine cognitive dysfunction, and the modified Katz Scale to detect functional impairment. The overall prevalence rates were 18.5% and 18.4% for cognitive and functional dysfunction respectively. After multiple logistic regression analysis, cognitive impairment was found to be associated with poor education (OR = 4.0, CI = 2.31-6.93), older age (OR = 2.67, C.I. = 2.00-3.58), functional decline (OR = 2.44, C.I. = 1.83-3.25), female sex (OR = 1.82, C.I. = 1.39-2.40) and low income (OR = 1.49, C.I. = 113-1.98). Functional impairment was found to be associated with cognitive dysfunction (OR = 2.45, C.I. = 1.84-3.27) and older age (OR = 2.08, C.I.-1.59 = 2,72). These findings suggest that a substantial proportion of the elderly in Puerto Rico may require assistance to deal with the consequences of these impairments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, San Juan.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Alonso Serra
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Conde
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: De Andino
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Mendoza
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D011647:Puerto Rico / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012423:Rural Health; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires