COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT AS AN ASSOCIATED FACTOR OF DYNAPENIA IN ELDERLY PEOPLE LIVING IN A RURAL AREA OF BRAZIL

Abstract

Cognitive impairment (CI) is wisely associated with greater muscle strength decline in ageing. However, there is a lack of studies about this association in rural areas in developing countries. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and association between dynapenia and CI in elderly people living in rural area. Cross-sectional study with 166 elderly people (≥ 60 years) dementia free living in a medium-sized town in Sao Paulo state, Brazil. We used logistic regression to analyse the association between dynapenia, according Laurentani et al. (1) criteria, and CI, controlled by sex, age, schooling and weight loss (the loss of at least 4.5 kg or more than 5% of body weight in the previous 12 months unrelated to dieting). Grip strength was measured using a dynamometer (Jamar, Seahan SH5001, Korea). The Mini-Mental State Examination was used to evaluate the cognitive function, according Brazilian suggested points by schooling level (2). Mean age was 70.54 (±7.52), 52.90% of the sample were female, 92.35% had conjugal life and 72.35% had low education (until 4 years of schooling). The prevalence rates were 39.88% (95% CI: 32.40–47.36) for dynapenic, 31.35% (95% CI: 22.86–39.85) for dynapenic without CI and 60.41% (95% CI: 46.06–74.76) for dynapenic with CI. The adjusted model showed that poor cognitive function increased odds of dynapenia independently of any other factors (odds ratio [OR] 3.37; 95% CI: 1.61–7.05). Cognitive impairment increased the prevalence and risk of dynapenia in elderly people living in rural areas. The changes in cognitive function may indicate lower muscle strength, that later may be confirmed by a specific physical exam.