Gender-Specific Incidence and Predictors of Cognitive Impairment among Older Koreans: Findings from a 6-Year Prospective Cohort Study

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study investigated gender-specific incidence and predictors of cognitive impairment among community-dwelling older adults in South Korea.MethodsUsing data from the 2006 and 2012 Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing (KLoSA), 925 females and 834 males aged 65 and over without cognitive impairment at 2006 were analyzed separately. Cognitive impairment was measured based on the Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Exam (K-MMSE) normative score. Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) was conducted to examine the predictors of cognitive impairment at 6-year follow up.ResultsIncidence of cognitive impairment at 2012 was significantly higher for women (30.5%) than men (26.1%). GEE result showed that depression was significantly associated with cognitive impairment for both genders (female: OR=2.26, 95% CI=1.63–3.12; male: OR=3.26, 95% CI=2.19–4.83). Having IADL limitations (OR=1.15, 95% CI=1.03–1.28), high blood pressure (OR=1.72, 95% CI=1.27–2.34), poor hearing (OR=1.94, 95% CI=1.29–2.92), regular exercise (OR=0.67, 95% CI=0.45–0.99), and normal weight (OR=1.39, 95% CI=1.03–1.86) were significant predictors of cognitive impairment only among women. In contrast, age (OR=1.04, 95% CI=1.01–1.07) and ADL limitations (OR=1.48, 95% CI=1.21–1.82) were significant predictors of cognitive impairment at follow-up only among men.ConclusionFindings of this study show gender-specific predictors of cognitive impairment among older Koreans. This study can provide information for clinicians and policy makers to develop different intervention strategies considering gender differences in the progress of cognitive impairment.

The risk of cognitive impairment associated with hearing function in older adults: a pooled analysis of data from eleven studies

“…Of these, those with estimates that could not be combined, that were not cohort-designed, and those which used estimates other than odds ratio (OR), relative risk (RR), and hazard ratio (HR), were also omitted at this stage. Finally, eleven studies 9 , 14 , 20 , 21 , 24 , 29 – 34 were included, seven of which 9 , 14 , 20 , 24 , 29 – 31 were combined in the following meta-analyses. Eight studies 20 , 21 , 24 , 29 , 31 – 34 were analyzed in meta-regression.…”

“…Eleven related studies were enrolled into the present study. All prospective cohort studies included participants across Europe 32 , North America 14 , 20 , 21 , 29 – 31 , 33 , Oceania 9 , 24 , and Asia 34 . All cohorts, except for one 21 , included both genders.…”

The association between health‐related factors, physical and mental diseases, social activities, and cognitive function in elderly Koreans: a population‐based cross‐sectional study

“…People who regularly exercise have been shown to maintain better cognitive function than those who do not in both the current study and previous research. 7 Regular exercise may help prevent physical diseases such as cardiovascular disease-a risk factor for cognitive impairment-and consequently contribute to the maintenance of cognitive function. 53 Previous studies have reported the impact of BMI or obesity on cognitive function.…”

“…Substantial research has explored the risks and protective factors of cognitive impairment. Based on previous studies, the following are all closely associated with cognitive impairment: sociodemographic variables such as age, education, and marital status 3,4 ; physical conditions and diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and cardiovascular disorders [4][5][6] ; health-related behaviours such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and regular exercise 7,8 ; physical function 9,10 ; and social participation involving, for example, social gatherings, religious activities, and volunteer work. 11,12 As individuals age, the risk of physiological diseases increases, and such diseases and conditions that are common among the elderly, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and stroke, may be associated with cognitive decline.…”

“…[31][32][33][34] Previous studies have indicated that activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) are closely related to cognitive impairment. 7,35 Interestingly, some researchers have argued that hand grip strength is a preventive factor of cognitive decline. [36][37][38] The similarities in the brain areas and networks involved in cognition and muscle strength (e.g.…”