Impact of socio‐demographic features and lifestyle in cognitive performance of Peruvian adults

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundThe related‐age changes are associated with a continuous process of cognitive decline. In normal aging, only 1‐2% of the population develop dementia compared with 10 to 15 % with previous mild cognitive impairment. In this line, diverse characteristics exist that act as protective factors front the disease onset and are related to better cognitive performance in the population. Our knowledge about these features can be the first step to combat dementia and reduces the impact on the elderly quality of life. The present study aimed to investigate sociodemographic characteristics and lifestyle factors affecting the cognitive function in Peruvian adults.Method1499 subjects (aged from 42 to 98) participated in the Interview Survey in Health Services of Primary Attention in Arequipa (Perú). The cognitive performance was evaluated with the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination ‐ Revised (ACE‐R). The χ2 test and multiple logistic regression models were used to define the association between cognitive impairment and socio‐demography and lifestyle variables.ResultThe multivariate analysis indicated that age, sex, single, more years of education, living in the urban area, practicing physical activities, and reading were associated with a lower risk of cognitive impairment.ConclusionRisk factors associated with dementia are even more visible in Latin America Countries (LAC). The wide variability in the sociodemographic characteristics and access to health care services limit early detection of the disease. The lifestyle changes could help prevent or decrease the risk of cognitive impairment and reduce the disease's impact on vulnerable environments.