RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COGNITIVE DEFICIT AND PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE IN ELDERLY: CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
Aging; Elderly; Cognition; Physical Performance; Functionality
Introduction: Cognition is a bodily function that decreases with aging and its alterations are characterized by impairment of memory, judgment, language and attention. It can occur due to neurodegenerative, vascular and dysthymia/dysphoria problems. Reduced cognitive abilities can affect physical performance, functionality and social and occupational activities, and can be a marker of dementia, being a critical clinical condition for the elderly and a growing challenge to global health. Objective: To assess the relationship between cognitive impairment and physical performance in community-dwelling elderly. Methods: This is an observational, analytical and cross-sectional study, composed of community elderly, residents in the municipality of Parnamirim (Rio Grande do Norte), aged ≥ 60 years. Sociodemographic and anthropometric data were collected, as well as data on comorbidities, cognitive deficit and physical performance, through the Elderly Health Handbook, the Leganés Cognitive Test (PCL) and the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). In the statistical analysis, the normality of the variables was assessed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Student's t-test and chi-square test were performed to compare elderly people with low and good physical performance in relation to the mean of PCL and covariates. A logistic regression analysis was performed to identify all factors associated with poor physical performance. Results: 760 elderly people were evaluated, with a mean age of 70.18 (±7.11) years old. The cognitive function obtained a mean score of 25.35 (±4.30). As for physical performance, an average of 9.74 (±2.26), of which 85%, was classified as good performance. There was a statistically significant association between cognitive impairment and physical performance (p<0.001). The covariates that were related to physical performance were PCL score (p = <0.001), cognitive function (p = <0.001), age (p = <0.001), sex (p = <0.001), psychotropic drugs (p = 0.001 ), diabetes mellitus (p = 0.040) and stroke (p = 0.036). Predictive factors for decline in physical performance were age (p = <0.001), female gender (p = <0.001), use of psychotropic drugs (p = 0.025), diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (p = 0.028) and the presence of cognitive deficit (p = 0.001).