title: Decline in cognitive function and elder mistreatment: findings from the Chicago Health and Aging Project.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to examine the longitudinal association between decline in cognitive function and elder mistreatment (EM).
  
  
  METHODS
  Chicago Health and Aging Project (CHAP) is an epidemiologic study conducted in a geographically defined community (N = 6,159). We identified 143 CHAP participants who had longitudinal cognitive data and EM reported to social services agency. The primary predictor was cognitive function, which was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (Perceptual Speed), and both immediate and delayed recall of the East Boston Memory Test (Episodic Memory). An index of global cognitive function scores was derived by averaging z scores of all tests. Logistic regression models were used to assess the association of cognitive function domains and risk for EM.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After adjusting for potential confounders, every one-point decline in global cognitive function (odds ratio [OR]: 1.57 [1.21-2.03]), MMSE (OR: 1.07 [1.03-1.10]), Episodic Memory (OR: 1.46 [1.14-1.86]), and Perceptual Speed (OR: 1.05 [1.02-1.07]) scores were associated with increased risk for EM. Lowest tertiles in global cognitive function (OR: 2.71 [1.49-4.88]), MMSE (OR: 2.02 [1.07-3.80]), Episodic Memory (OR: 2.70 [1.41-5.16]), and Perceptual Speed (OR: 4.41 [2.22-8.76]) scores were associated with increased risk for EM.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Decline in global cognitive function, MMSE, and Perceptual Speed scores were associated with increased risk for EM.
authors.affiliation: Rush Institute for Healthy Aging, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Electronic address: xinqi_dong@rush.edu.
authors.forename: Xinqi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine and OB/GYN, Northwestern University Medical Center, Chicago, IL.
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.affiliation: Rush Institute for Healthy Aging, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL.
authors.forename: Todd
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Beck
authors.affiliation: Rush Institute for Healthy Aging, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL.
authors.forename: Denis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Evans
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002641:Chicago / Q000453:epidemiology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D004522:Educational Status; D004552:Elder Abuse / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors
keywords: Elder mistreatment; cognitive decline; epidemiologic study