Factors associated with better global cognitive performance in older adults residents in São Paulo, SABE Study

Author(s)

Henrique Salmazo da Silva

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Saúde Pública (FSP/CIR)
• Defense date: 2011-08-24

Examining board members

Yeda Aparecida de Oliveira Duarte; Cassio Machado de Campos Bottino; Ana Teresa de Abreu Ramos Cerqueira

• Advisor: Yeda Aparecida de Oliveira Duarte

Abstract

Background: The maintenance of functional and cognitive abilities is one of the factors associated to quality of life during aging. The literature has little data about the factors associated with better cognitive performance in older adults. Objective: To identify factors associated with better global cognitive performance in older adults residents in São Paulo. Method: For this, data from the SABE Study - Health and Wellness in Aging was analyzed, a multicenter and longitudinal research conducted in a representative sample of older adults living in São Paulo/SP in 2006. Older adults without cognitive decline according to four levels of schooling, no schooling, 1 to 3 years, 4 to 7 and 8 years and more were investigated. Among the first three levels of schooling the group of normal cognitive performance were composed to older adults with MMSE scores ranked in the first and second tertiles. The group with better cognitive performance scored in the third tertile. Regard to the older adults with 8 or more years of schooling were considered normal performance score 28 and 29 points and better cognitive performance 30 points on MMSE. The variables examined were age, sex, housing condition, marital status, income perception, socioeconomic health in the first 15 years of life, family functioning, depressive symptoms, self-reported chronic disease; difficulties in at least one or more Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), frequency of participation in group activities, occupational, physical and related to active social contact, and frequency of social contacts (family and friends). Data were analyzed by multiple logistic regression models. The reference group for the models consisted of the elderly with normal cognitive performance. The significance level of analysis was 5 per cent (p 0.05). Results: Individuals with better MMSE scores were concentrated in the age group 60 to 74 years and it´s majority reported living with someone at home and have a partner (a). Approximately half of this group was composed of older women and older who reported that revenues were insufficient to meet their daily needs. These older adults had a lower prevalence of difficulties in ADL and IADL and high level of participation in the activities investigated. In the final logistic regression model with the older adults more likely to outperform the absence of reported difficulty in IADL, no excess alcohol consumption (without abuse), self-perception that earnings are sufficient to meet daily needs, active social contact with family and friends and the younger age group (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/06909-5 - Factors associated with aging without cognitive decline in older adults with low education and income of São Paulo: SABE study
• Grantee: Henrique Salmazo da Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master