Descriptive data in different paper-based cognitive assessments in elderly from the community Stratification by age and education

Abstract

Cognitive aging is dynamic and heterogeneous in elderly, thus adequate tools such as paper-based tests are relevant to describe the cognitive profile of this population.Objective:To describe different paper-based cognitive assessments tests in elderly people stratified by age and education.Methods:A cross-sectional study of 667 elderly (≥60 years) living in the community was conducted. Sociodemographic information was collected. Global cognition was assessed by the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination-Revised (ACE-R), Mini Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination (M-ACE) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the t-test and Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient.Results:The findings showed a predominance of women (53.8%), mean age of 71.3 (±7.7) years and 3.6 (±3.5) years of education. The best global cognitive performance and cognitive domain assessment scores were found in the group with higher formal educational level. Each year of education was associated with an increase of up to 10% in scores on the M-ACE and MMSE and up to 11% in ACE-R scores. The mean values of the scores varied according to age, where the 60-69 years group had better scores than other age groups. The correlation matrix between the cognitive tests showed that near perfect correlations (r=1) were frequent in the subgroup with higher education.Conclusion:Younger elderly and those with higher educational level had greater global and domain scores. This study describes the scores of elderly for different strata of education and age. In practice, it is important to choose the most suitable screening instrument, considering the characteristics of the elderly.

Cumulative effects of cognitive impairment and frailty on functional decline, falls and hospitalization: A four-year follow-up study with older adults

“…Another point to consider is the differences in cutoff points used in different studies based on schooling and age. 30 Regarding the prevalence of frailty, studies conducted in low/middle-income countries report similar results, with rates of 12.2% in Colombia, 31 4.9% in Taiwan 32 and 10% in a study involving data from different low/middle-income countries. 33 The divergence may be explained by the different manners of assessing frailty.…”

“…Formal schooling time was 3.92 years and 91% were living a marital-like status. Regarding ethnicity, 30.8% self-declared black/brown and 67.3% self-declared white. Regarding cognitive status, 25% scored lower than cutoff, 34,6% were characterized as frail and 8.3%…”

Association between perceived social support and better cognitive performance among caregivers and non-caregivers

“…The findings also demonstrated an association between cognition and schooling in both groups. The literature indicates that schooling plays an important role in cognition; older adults with little schooling have a greater chance of exhibiting cognitive decline and dementia as they age (32)(33)(34) . Moreover, a lower educational level in early life is a risk factor for cognitive decline that exerts a much stronger influence than ageing itself (35) .…”

“…Age was a factor related to cognition only in the group of non-caregivers. Age is considered an important predictor of cognitive impairment (34,37) , as changes stemming from the ageing process can result in the progressive decline of cognitive functions (38) .…”

O Exame Cognitivo de Addenbrooke versão revisada (ACE-R) no diagnóstico diferencial das demências degenerativas

“…Em outro estudo realizado em São Carlos, também interior do Estado de São Paulo, os autores apresentaram dados descritivos de 667 idosos da comunidade assistidos pelo programa público de Saúde da Família (Brigola et al, 2018). A maioria dos idosos avaliada tinha 4 anos ou menos de estudo formal e 68% dos idosos obtiveram resultados abaixo das notas de corte propostas por César e colaboradores (César et al, 2017).…”