Cognitive Function and its Risk Factors among Older US Adults Living at Home

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2018

Abstract

Background: The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) has not been administered to a representative national sample, precluding comparison of patient scores to the general population and for risk factor identification. Methods: A validated survey-based adaptation of the MoCA (MoCA-SA) was administered to a probability sample of home-dwelling US adults aged 62 to 90, using the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (n=3129), yielding estimates of prevalence in the United States. The association between MoCA-SA scores and sociodemographic and health-related risk factors were determined. Results: MoCA-SA scores decreased with age, and there were substantial differences among sex, education, and race/ethnicity groups. Poor physical health, functional status, and depression were also associated with lower cognitive performance; current health behaviors were not. Using the recommended MoCA cut-point score for Mild Cognitive Impairment (MoCA score <26; MoCA-SA score <17), 72% (95% confidence interval, 69% to 74%) of older US adults would be classified as having some degree of cognitive impairment. Conclusions: Our results provide an important national estimate for interpreting MoCA scores from individual patients, and establish wide variability in cognition among older home-dwelling US adults. Care should be taken in applying previously-established MoCA cut-points to the general population, especially when evaluating individuals from educationally and ethnically diverse groups.

DOI

10.1097/WAD.0000000000000241

Publication Title

Alzheimer Disease and Associated Disorders

Volume Number

32

Issue Number

3

First Page

207

Last Page

213

ISSN

08930341

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS