Predisposing factors of dementia among elderly people

Abstract

Background

Dementia is one of the most serious public health issues in the 21^st century that places a heavy burden on families and the healthcare system. Given the increased average age of people, a large increase in its prevalence is expected. Dementia develops over decades; therefore, prevention has an important role. In addition to genetic factors, previous studies highlighted the role of lifestyle factors such as education, social network and relationship, active employment, and health status (e.g. diabetes). The present study aims to investigate the effect of lifestyle, demographic factors and health status on cognitive performance in the elderly.

Methodology

40 elderly subjects participated in the study (average age: 70,23 years (SD = ±3,97), average education: 14,03 years (SD = ±8,97). We used Mini Mental Test and a complex cognitive test battery to measure working memory (Listening Span Task), executive functions (Letter and Semantic Fluency Task), and short- and long-term verbal memory (Rivermead Behavioral Memory Task. Self-made questionnaires were used to measure demographic data’s and lifestyle habits (such diabetes, romantic relationship, language knowledge, education, active employment).

Results

Our results demonstrated that those participants who worked, who could speak at least one foreign language, and who were in romantic relationship showed better cognitive performance, especially on those tasks that are related to executive functions. Furthermore, subjects who have diabetes exhibited lower cognitive performance.

Conclusions

Consequently, our results could give us deeper insight about the protective and risk factors of cognitive decline and can be relevant to help design cognitive interventions and adequate rehabilitation programs for older adults.