title: Prevalence of cognitive and functional impairment in community-dwelling elderly: importance of evaluating activities of daily living.
abstract: The study aims to evaluate the prevalence of cognitive/functional impairment in community-dwelling elderly above 60 years of age (n = 870; m = 297, f = 573) and the relationship of age, gender, and functional impairment with cognitive impairment using Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Pfeffer Functional Activities Questionnaire (PFAQ). Chi-square and Student's tests were used to compare cognitive and functional deficits. Linear regression assessed MMSE/PFAQ relationship. Stratified analysis assessed confounding factors. Logistic regression assessed the relationship among age/gender/functional status with cognitive impairment (p < 0.05). Prevalence of cognitive/functional impairment was 19.2%. Functional and cognitive impairment are negatively correlated (Pearson = 0.737), despite educational level (illiterate/literate: OR = 15.60; p = 0/OR = 16.40; p = 0). Age and gender (female) were associated with cognitive/functional impairment. Functional impairment is highly correlated to cognitive impairment. Family/health professionals may recognize functional impairment more easily than cognitive impairment. Thus, the use in combination of cognitive and functional scales is important when screening for dementia.
authors.affiliation: Center for Alzheimer Disease and Related Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. jlaks@centroin.com.br
authors.forename: Jerson
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Laks
authors.forename: Elienai Maria Rubim
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Batista
authors.forename: Elza Rocha Lima
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Guilherme
authors.forename: Ana Lúcia Barros
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Contino
authors.forename: Maria Eliete Vieira
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Faria
authors.forename: Claudia Soares
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.forename: Estevão
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: de Paula
authors.forename: Eliasz
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Engelhardt
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales