Malperformance in verbal fluency and delayed recall as cognitive risk factors for impairment in instrumental activities of daily living.
BACKGROUND
Maintaining independence in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) is crucial for older adults. This study explored the association between cognitive and functional performance in general and in single IADL domains. Also, risk factors for developing IADL impairment were assessed.


METHODS
Here, 3,215 patients aged 75-98 years were included. Data were collected during home visits.


RESULTS
Cognitive functioning was associated with IADL both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Regarding the single IADL domains cross-sectionally, executive functioning was especially associated with shopping, while episodic memory was associated with responsibility for own medication.


CONCLUSIONS
Reduced performance in neuropsychological tests is associated with a greater risk of current and subsequent functional impairment.
Department of Primary Medical Care, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany. mi.koehler@uke.uni-hamburg.de
Mirjam
M
Koehler
Matthias
M
Kliegel
Birgitt
B
Wiese
Horst
H
Bickel
Hanna
H
Kaduszkiewicz
Hendrik
H
van den Bussche
Sandra
S
Eifflaender-Gorfer
Marion
M
Eisele
Angela
A
Fuchs
Hans-Helmut
HH
Koenig
Hanna
H
Leicht
Tobias
T
Luck
Wolfgang
W
Maier
Edelgard
E
Moesch
Steffi
S
Riedel-Heller
Franziska
F
Tebarth
Michael
M
Wagner
Siegfried
S
Weyerer
Thomas
T
Zimmermann
Michael
M
Pentzek
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000502:physiology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D014705:Verbal Behavior / Q000502:physiology*