title: Relationship between asthma and cognition: the Cooper Center Longitudinal Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Minimal data are available on the relationship between asthma and cognitive performance. In this report, we examine the relationship between asthma and cognitive performance in older adults, a subpopulation with elevated risk of cognitive impairment.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a cross-sectional, retrospective analysis of 1380 participants age ≥55 who completed preventive health examinations at the Cooper Clinic in Dallas, TX. Cognition was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), a brief test for mild cognitive impairment. Data were analyzed in a multiple logistic regression using MoCA scores suggestive of cognitive impairment as the dependent variable.
  
  
  RESULTS
  When controlling for demographic characteristics, self-rated health status, inhaled corticosteroid use, and FEV1 /FVC, asthma were associated with 78% increased risk of cognitive impairment (P = 0.02) as defined by MoCA score.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the largest sample examined to date, we have identified a significant relationship between asthma and cognitive impairment in older people.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas 75390-8849, USA.
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Caldera-Alvarado
authors: D A
authors: DA
authors: Khan
authors: L F
authors: LF
authors: Defina
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Pieper
authors: E S
authors: ES
authors: Brown
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013781:Texas