Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 7, 2025

Dual-Task Stroop Paradigm for Detecting Cognitive Deficits in High-Functioning Stroke Patients
Published on: December 16, 2022
Association between Cognitive Reserve Indicator and Chronic Disease-Free Survival: A Large Community-Based
1Hong Zhu, Associate Professor, Dept. of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Qixiangtai Road 22, Heping District, 300070, Tianjin, P.R. China. Email: zhuhong@tmu.edu.cn; Weili Xu, Professor, Dept. of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Qixiangtai Road 22, Heping District, 300070, Tianjin, P.R. China; Aging Research Center, Karolinska Institutet, Tomtebodavägen 18A Floor 10, SE-171 65 Solna, Stockholm, Sweden. Phone: +46 8 524 858 26;
Background:
Cognitive reserve (CR) has been linked to dementia and might be a predictor of aged-related outcomes. However, the association between CR and risk of other chronic diseases and mortality remains unclear.
Objectives:
We aimed to investigate the association of CR with survival free from major chronic diseases.
Design, Setting And Participants:
This community-based longitudinal study used data from the UK Biobank. A total of 412,509 participants (mean age 55.71±8.10) free of major chronic disease (including dementia, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cancer) completed the baseline examination between 2006 to 2010 and were followed for changes in health status.
Measurements:
Latent class analysis was used to generate an indicator of CR (categorized as low, moderate, or high) based on education, occupation, television viewing time, confiding, social connection, and leisure activities. Major chronic diseases and survival status were ascertained through self-reported history and/or linkages to medical and death records. Chronic disease-free survival was defined as survival without any of the aforementioned chronic diseases. Effect modifications and interactions between the CR indicator and sex, age, and lifestyle factors (including smoking status, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and body mass index) were explored.
Results:
Over a median follow-up of 12.49 (interquartile range 11.42-13.41, range 0.01-15.87) years, 112,190 (27.2%) participants died or developed at least one chronic disease. High CR indicator was associated with lower risk of chronic disease/death (hazard ratio 0.82, 95% confidence interval: 0.80-0.83) compared to low CR indicator. Chronic disease-free survival was prolonged by 1.33 (1.21-1.44) years among participants with high CR compared to low CR indicator. Furthermore, the association between the CR indicator and chronic disease-free survival was strengthened among individuals aged <60 years and current smokers.
Conclusion:
High CR indicator is associated with a lower risk of chronic disease/death and may prolong chronic disease-free survival. Our findings underscore the importance of CR-enhancing lifestyle and experiences in health longevity, especially for younger individuals and current smokers.
More Related Videos
12:18A Machine Learning Approach to Design an Efficient Selective Screening of Mild Cognitive Impairment
Published on: January 11, 2020
06:23The 4 Mountains Test: A Short Test of Spatial Memory with High Sensitivity for the Diagnosis of Pre-dementia Alzheimer's Disease
Published on: October 13, 2016
Related Concept Videos
Longitudinal Research
Cancer Survival Analysis
Longitudinal Studies
Cognitive Development During Adulthood
Assumptions of Survival Analysis
Comparing the Survival Analysis of Two or More Groups