Correlation between haemoglobin levels and attention, concentration, learning and memory among older adult population in Chennai

Abstract

The older adults constitute a considerable part of the Indian population and due to advancements in the Medical field this population is fast growing. With the current advancements in treatment modalities there is an increased life expectancy. Low haemoglobin level is a potential contributing factors for cognitive impairment in older adults.The present study focuses on correlation between haemoglobin levels and attention, concentration, learning and memory among older adult population in Chennai. The present study was conducted in Sri Ramachandra Hospital OPD, Porur, Chennai. A total of 304 older subjects were included in this study. Older adults of both male and female were selected from the OPD based on theInclusion criteria - Age [50 to 65 years] matched subjects were selected. The Digit Span test,a subtest from Wechsler Adult Intelligence scale is used to assess the subjects attention and concentration. Ray auditory and verbal learning test (RAVLT) is used to measure learning and memory. The digit span forward test in males is higher when compared with the females, this difference is statistically significant. (t= 9.669 and p=0.000). The digit span backward test in males is higher when compared with the females, this difference is statistically significant. (t= 9.669 and p=0.000).The digit AVLT trial test scores in males is higher when compared with the females, this difference is statistically significant. (p=0.000)All the scores of normal haemoglobin group were higher than the low haemoglobin group and the results were statistically significant. (p=0.000). In this study, we were able to observe that lower haemoglobin levels were associated with decreased cognitive functions in the domains of attention, concentration, learning and memory among older adult population in Chennai.