title: Association of impaired cognitive functions with cardiovascular risk factors in elderly Indian population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The prevalence of dementia is projected to rise dramatically in future with increasing life expectancy. Though dementia itself is not treatable in majority of cases, modification of co-morbid medical conditions may influence onset and rate of decline of cognitive functions.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence of dementia in elderly by assessing cognitive function and to assess the association of cardiovascular risk factors with cognitive functions.
  
  
  METHODS
  
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross sectional analytical study.
  
  
  METHODS
  400 consecutive elderly subjects > 65 years attending Geriatric OPD, Dept. of Medicine, Indira Gandhi Government Medical College, Nagpur, were recruited and assessed for cognitive functions by applying Mini Mental Status examination Score (MMSE). Relationships between cardiovascular risk factors and impaired cognitive score were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Prevalence of impaired cognitive function (MMSE Score < 25) was 33.25% (133 cases), while that of dementia (MMSE < 23) was 3.25 % (13 cases) in this elderly population. Impaired cognitive function was higher in those with low education and low socioeconomic status, (p = < 0.001). Increasing age, Female gender, alcohol intake and high cholesterol were found to be independently associated with impaired cognitive score in multiple logistic regression (p = < 0.001). Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking and obesity were not associated with impaired cognitive score.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prevalence of cognitive impairment rises significantly as the age advances and is associated with alcohol intake and high cholesterol.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Medicine, Indira Gandhi Govt. Medical College, Nagpur.
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Holay
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Patil
authors.forename: P P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Joshi
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Dube
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Suryawanshi
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Waradkar
mesh_terms: D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044466:Asian People; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D003071:Cognition; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003704:Dementia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed