Association of cognitive impairment with frailty in elderly:a cross–sectional study on community–dwelling non demented elderly referred to an outpatient geriatric service in Egypt.

Motassem S. Amer; Rania M. El Akkad; Heba S. Hassan

Volume : V, Issue : IX, September - 2015

Association of cognitive impairment with frailty in elderly:a cross–sectional study on community–dwelling non demented elderly referred to an outpatient geriatric service in Egypt.

Motassem S. Amer, Rania M. El Akkad, Heba S. Hassan

Abstract :

Frailty is highly prevalent in elderly and is associated with adverse health events, but its association with cognitive function is poorly understood. Aim; The aim of this study was to examine the association between cognitive function and frailty in community–dwelling non demented elderly. Methods; 115 non demented elderly, 60 years and older recruited from outpatient geriatric clinic at Al Mansoura General Hospital, Dakahlia, Egypt. Each participant underwent Comprehensive geriatric assessment, assessing frailty status by Edmonton frail scale (EFS) and assessing cognitive function using the mini–mental state examination (MMSE) and Montreal cognitive function test (MoCA). Results; It was found that Frail older adults had significantly worse performance on the MMSE and the Montreal cognitive function test even after controlling for covariates. According to the MoCA, among the pre–frail 66.67% had cognitive impairment, among the mild frail 94.44% had cognitive impairment, among the moderate and sever frail 100% had cognitive impairment, while according to MMSE, among the mild frail 55.56% had impairment , the moderate frail 56.25% had impairment, while the sever frail 100% had cognitive impairment. It was found that frailty status significantly correlates with age, education, function, and depression and by Linear Correlation Coefficient a significant correlation between frailty and age, function, cognition and depression was found. Conclusion; we concluded that being frail is associated with worse cognitive performance, as assessed by the MMSE and Montreal cognitive function test. Recommendations; It is recommended that the assessment of frail older adults should include assessment of their cognitive status.