Muscular Function as an Alternative to Identify Cognitive Impairment: A Secondary Analysis From SABE Colombia

Abstract

BackgroundIdentification of cognitive impairment is based traditionally on the neuropsychological tests and biomarkers that are not available widely. This study aimed to establish the association between motor function (gait speed and handgrip strength) and cognitive performance in the Mini-Mental State Examination, globally and by domains. A secondary goal was calculating a cut-off point for gait speed and handgrip strength to classify older adults as cognitively impaired.MethodsThis is a secondary analysis of SABE Colombia (Salud, Bienestar & Envejecimiento), a survey that was conducted in 2015 on health, wellbeing, and aging in Colombia. This study used linear regression models to search for an association between motor function and cognitive performance. The accuracy of motor function measurements in identifying cognitive impairment was assessed with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. This study also analyzed other clinical and sociodemographical variables.ResultsGait speed was associated with orientation (r2 = 0.16), language (r2 = 0.15), recall memory (r2 = 0.14), and counting (r2 = 0.08). Similarly, handgrip strength was associated with orientation (r2 = 0.175), language (r2 = 0.164), recall memory (r2 = 0.137), and counting (r2 = 0.08). To differentiate older adults with and without cognitive impairment, a gait speed cut-off point of 0.59 m/s had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.629 (0.613–0.646), and a weak handgrip (strength below 17.5 kg) had an AUC of 0.653 (0.645-0.661). The cut-off points for handgrip strength and gait speed were significantly higher in male participants.ConclusionsGait speed and handgrip strength are similarly associated with the cognitive performance, exhibiting the most extensive association with orientation and language domains of the Mini-Mental State Examination. Gait speed and handgrip strength can easily be measured by any clinician, and they prove to be useful screening tools to detect cognitive impairment.

Factors associated with healthy aging in Latin American populations

“…Cognition was assessed in national surveys from LAC countries with the shortened version of the Folstein MMSE. Following previous procedures 56 , 57 , we used the abbreviated MMSE, which has 19 questions and items. A cutoff of 13 points was used in each survey to determine if the participant had cognitive decline 57 .…”

“…The Barthel index 58 assesses difficulties in ADLs, including basic activities of daily life such as self-maintenance skills (dressing, bathing, grooming, toilet use, and bowel and bladder continence) and mobility skills 56 . We analyzed information from a group of activities collected via participants’ interviews and harmonized across countries referring to daily living functioning.…”

Evaluación de síntomas neuropsiquiátricos para la detección temprana de trastorno neurocognoscitivo

“…Por esto es relevante el estudio de las expresiones clínicas tempranas de las demencias, dentro de las que se encuentran las alteraciones cognitivas y comportamentales, sin dejar de lado otras opciones como las alteraciones en la función motora, como la velocidad de la marcha o fuerza de prensión de los pacientes (50). Existe la opción de utilizar e investigar sobre los hallazgos clínicos, que podrían ser identificados por un menor costo y de manera más temprana, por lo que una herramienta como MBI-C resulta útil, ya que supone ser un instrumento de fácil aplicabilidad e interpretación, sostenible e incluyente, con un alcance de mayor cobertura en la población y que puede conllevar a un mayor conocimiento e indagación en la clínica.…”

Biological and Physical Performance Markers for Early Detection of Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults

“…Consistent evidence from cross-sectional studies suggests that there is an association between a slow comfortable gait speed and declining cognitive function [95,[111][112][113][114][115]. Studies have shown that a person's self-selected fast-paced gait speed correlates better with cognitive decline than usual, comfortable gait speed [93,116,117].…”