PREVALENCE OF COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS IN ELDERLY POPULATION

Background: Today with the improved quality of life resulting in longer life span, percentage of elderly in the total population is increasing, raising concern regarding the prevalence of cognitive dysfunction in the future. Though dementia 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 cognitive impairment in the elderly population and to assess its association with various cardiovascular risk factors. Methods: Study Design: Cross sectional analytical study. Participants: 400 elderly subjects more than 60 years of age attending OPD or IPD, Sri Guru Ram Das Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Vallah, Amritsar, were recruited and assessed for cognitive functions by applying Hindi Mental Status Score Examination (HMSE). Relationships between cognitive impairment and various cardiovascular risk factors were determined. Results: Prevalence of impaired cognitive function (HMSE<26) was 25.3% (101 cases), while that of dementia (HMSE<24) was 3.8% (15 cases) in the elderly population. Impaired cognitive function was higher in those with low education status (p< 0.01). Increasing age (p< 0.01), diabetes (p- 0.028), hypertension (p- 0.011), alcohol intake (p< 0.01), smoking (p< 0.01) and dyslipidemia (p< 0.01) were found to be significantly associated with impaired cognitive score. Prevalence of impaired cognitive function is not significantly affected by gender (p- 0.262) and obesity (p- 0.168). Statistical analysis was done using Chi- square test, univariate analysis and multivariate analysis. Conclusion: Prevalence of cognitive impairment rises significantly as the age advances and is significantly associated with diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking and alcohol consumption.