[Risk factors associated with cognitive impairment in aged: Cross-sectional study]

With the increase in life expectancy, conditions related to older age have increased in incidence, one of these pathologies is Cognitive Impairment (CI), which has a prevalence of up to 28%, conditions that increase the presence of CI are known. However, there is controversy about the factors that increase the risk of CI.

To determine the factors associated with cognitive impairment in older adults.

We conducted a cross-sectional, analytical, observational, retroprolective study that included adults ≥65 years of age, with no history of cerebral vascular event, cranioencephalic trauma. Demographic factors were analyzed, CI was assessed with the Mini Mental State Examination test. For statistical analysis we used Odds Ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for each factor and multiple logistic regression as multivariate analysis.

420 older adults were included, 61% were women, 32.6% with age >75 years, 84.5% with schooling <9 years, in the multiple logistic regression the following were independent factors for the presence of mild CI: dependence on basic activities of daily living (ADLs) with OR 5.88, absence of cognitive stimulation RM 4.50, age >75 years OR 2.92, polypharmacy OR 2.16, uncontrolled blood pressure OR 1.92.

ADLs dependence, absence of cognitive stimulation, age >75 years, polypharmacy and uncontrolled blood pressure are risk factors associated with CI in older adults.