title: Executive control and the comprehension of medical information by elderly retirees.
abstract: This study examined the independent contributions of executive control function, general cognition, age, education, and medication usage to the comprehension of medical information. Randomly selected elderly retirees (N = 105) more than 70 years of age completed the Executive Interview (EXIT25), the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE), and the Hopkins Competency Assessment Test (HCAT). Cognitive measures were stronger predictors of HCAT scores than age, education, or number of prescribed medications. A discriminant model based on EXIT25 and MMSE scores correctly classified 91% of subjects relative to their HCAT scores. It was concluded that executive impairment is strongly associated with impaired comprehension of medical information. As many as 88% of probable Alzheimer's disease patients, 69% of institutionalized elderly retirees, and 49% of noninstitutionalized retirees may be impaired in their ability to comprehend medical information, even when it has been presented well below their educational level.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, South Texas Veterans' Healthcare System, Audie L. Murphy Division Geriatric Research Education Clinical Center, San Antonio, USA.
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Royall
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cordes
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Polk
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010353:Patient Education as Topic