Change of Cognitive Function and Associated Factors among the Rural Elderly: A 5-Year Follow-up Study.
10.3961/jpmph.2007.40.2.162
- Author:
Sang Kyu KIM
1
;
Pock Soo KANG
;
Tae Yoon HWANG
;
Joon SAKONG
;
Kyeong Soo LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Preventive Medicine, Dongguk Univercity, College of Medicine, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article ; English Abstract
- Keywords:
Cognitive disorders;
Cognition;
Neuropsychological tests;
Follow-up studies;
Rural health
- MeSH:
*Rural Health;
Neuropsychological Tests;
Male;
Korea;
Humans;
Follow-Up Studies;
Female;
Cognition Disorders/*diagnosis/physiopathology;
Aged, 80 and over;
Aged
- From:Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
2007;40(2):162-168
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES: This prospective population-based cohort study was conducted to evaluate the risk factors of cognitive impairment and the degree of cognitive function change through a 5-year follow-up. METHODS: The baseline and follow-up surveys were conducted in 1998 and 2003, respectively. Among 176 subjects who had normal cognitive function in the baseline study, 136 were followed up for 5 years. The cognitive function was investigated using the Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE-K). The collected data were analyzed using SPSS and Stata. RESULTS: Of the 136 subjects analyzed, 25 (18.4%) were cognitively impaired. Old age and low social support in the baseline survey were risk factors for cognitive impairment after 5 years. In the generalized estimating equation for 128 subjects except severe cognitive impairment about the contributing factors of cognitive function change, the interval of 5 years decreased MMSE-K score by 1.02 and the cognitive function was adversely affected with increasing age, decreasing education and decreasing social support. CONCLUSIONS: Although the study population was small, it was considered that the study results can be used to develop a community-based prevention system for cognitive impairment.
