Related factors of cognitive impairment in community-dwelling older adults in Beijing Longitudinal Study of Aging.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the prevalence and related factors of cognitive impairment in community-dwelling older residents in Beijing, China.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study. A total of 2017 older individuals aged ≥ 60 years from Beijing Longitudinal Study of Aging were included in this study. Information on demographic characteristics, life style, chronic disease and geriatric syndromes was collected. Cognitive function was assessed by Mini-Mental State Examination.

RESULTS

The prevalence of cognitive impairment was 13.6% in community-dwelling older residents in Beijing. The prevalence of cognitive impairment was higher in women than it was in men and in rural areas than it was in urban areas, and increased with age. Logistic regression showed that older age [odds ratio (OR) = 1.496-3.033, P < 0.001], illiteracy (OR = 1.200-2.434, P = 0.003), low income (OR = 1.268-3.906, P = 0.005), less social participation (OR = 1.011-2.147, P = 0.044), stroke (OR = 1.410-3.305, P < 0.001), hearing loss (OR = 1.231-2.295, P = 0.001), depression (OR = 1.115-2.385, P = 0.012) and disability (OR = 2.315-4.681, P < 0.001) were independent risk factors for cognitive impairment.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of cognitive impairment among the older adults in Beijing was high. More attention should be paid to the identification of and intervention for factors influencing cognitive impairment, and health education should be carried out to improve the quality of life of the older adults.