Abstract
BackgroundPrior research suggests an interaction between social networks and Alzheimer's disease pathology and cognitive function, all predictors of survival in the elderly. We test the hypotheses that both social integration and cognitive function are independently associated with subsequent mortality and there is an interaction between social integration and cognitive function as related to mortality in a national cohort of older persons.MethodsData were analyzed from a longitudinal follow-up study of 5,908 American men and women aged 60 years and over examined in 1988–1994 followed an average 8.5 yr. Measurements at baseline included self-reported social integration, socio-demographics, health, body mass index, C-reactive protein and a short index of cognitive function (SICF).ResultsDeath during follow-up occurred in 2,431. In bivariate analyses indicators of greater social integration were associated with higher cognitive function. Among persons with SICF score of 17, 22% died compared to 54% of those with SICF score of 0–11 (p < 0.0001). After adjusting for confounding by baseline socio-demographics and health status, the hazards ratio (HR) (95% confidence limits) for low SICF score was 1.43 (1.13–1.80, p < 0.001). After controlling for health behaviors, blood pressure and body mass, C-reactive protein and social integration, the HR was 1.36 (1.06–1.76, p = 0.02). Further low compared to high social integration was also independently associated with increased risk of mortality: HR 1.24 (1.02–1.52, p = 0.02).ConclusionIn a cohort of older Americans, analyses demonstrated a higher risk of death independent of confounders among those with low cognitive function and low social integration with no significant interaction between them.
Highlights
Prior research suggests an interaction between social networks and Alzheimer's disease pathology and cognitive function, all predictors of survival in the elderly
short index of cognitive function (SICF) score was significantly associated with age, ethnicity, region, marital status, education, self-reported health status, mobility limitation, smoking, alcohol use, physical activity, regular source of care, systolic blood pressure and body mass index
Proportional hazards regression analysis revealed a significant bivariate inverse association of SICF score category with mortality during follow-up: test for trend hazard ratio (HR) 0.79, 95% CL 0.73–0.85, p < 0.001
Summary
Prior research suggests an interaction between social networks and Alzheimer's disease pathology and cognitive function, all predictors of survival in the elderly. We test the hypotheses that both social integration and cognitive function are independently associated with subsequent mortality and there is an interaction between social integration and cognitive function as related to mortality in a national cohort of older persons. Both impaired cognitive function and social isolation are prevalent concomitants of aging in industrialized nations [1,2]. Cognitive function has been found to be inversely associated with subsequent mortality in elderly adults in a number of previous studies [3,4,5,6]. Mechanisms may include support received or provided, improved coping with stressful life events,
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