Cognitive performance in childhood and early adult illness: a prospective cohort study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether cognitive performance in childhood is an early determinant of adult illness.


METHODS
Prospective cohort study covering over 30 years.


METHODS
Providence, Rhode Island, USA.


METHODS
633 people ages 30-39 followed up since birth as part of the Providence cohort of the national collaborative perinatal project.


RESULTS
Higher cognitive performance at age 7 was related to a significantly reduced risk of serious illness in adulthood, OR = 0.65 (95%CI: 0.47 to 0.89) for a one standard deviation (15 point) increase in IQ score. This association was independent of both parental socioeconomic status and participant's attained level of education.


CONCLUSIONS
General cognitive performance may be an important and informative early determinant of adult health. Further evaluation of this association and mechanisms linking cognitive performance and health may provide new and innovative strategies to improve disease management and reduce morbidity.
Martin
Laurie T
LT
Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, USA. lthayer@hsph.harvard.edu
Fitzmaurice
Garrett M
GM
Kindlon
Daniel J
DJ
Buka
Stephen L
SL
D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D003071:Cognition; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index