Abstract
Background:
Population aging is among the most important global transformations. In the elderly population, there is an increased prevalence of chronic conditions that compromise autonomy, related to cognitive impairment.
Objective:
This study sought to estimate the prevalence of cognitive impairment and associated factors in an elderly population.
Method:
This is a cross-sectional and analytical survey involving elderly people aged 60 years old or older, registered with the Family Health Strategy of Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil. To characterize sociodemographic factors, life habits and health conditions, the Brazilian Older Americans Researches and Service Multidimensional Function Assessment Questionnaire was used; for cognitive evaluation, the Mini Mental State Examination, and the results adjusted for education in the binary logistic regression analysis, with the presentation of odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).
Results:
Of the 1,746 aged individuals evaluated, 11.5% presented cognitive impairment. The associated risk factors were elderly over 80 years old (OR=4.463; 95%CI 3.160–6.304); illiterate (OR=3.996; 95%CI 2.716–5.791); without companion (OR=1.989; 95%CI 1.388–2.850); sedentary (OR=1.777; 95%CI 1.208–2.613), and with a history of stroke (OR=3.635; 95%CI 2.213–5.971).
Conclusions:
Cognitive commitment was associated with variables susceptible to preventive actions, such as access to schooling and healthy living habits.
Keywords:
health of the elderly; cognitive dysfunction; prevalence
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