Cognitive Functioning and Its Impact on Older Adults with Diabetes
Author Information
Author(s): McGuire Lisa C, Ford Earl S, Ajani Umed A
Primary Institution: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Hypothesis
Cognitive functioning is a predictor of mortality and functional disability in older adults with diabetes.
Conclusion
Older adults with diabetes and low normal levels of cognition are more likely to die and become disabled than those with higher cognitive functioning.
Supporting Evidence
- Cognitive functioning is a significant predictor of mortality and functional disability.
- Older adults with diabetes and lower cognitive functioning had greater odds of dying or becoming disabled.
- The study highlights the importance of cognitive screening in older adults with diabetes.
Takeaway
Older people with diabetes who don't think as clearly are more likely to get very sick or die. We can help them by checking their thinking skills.
Methodology
The study used secondary data analyses from the Second Longitudinal Study of Aging, focusing on cognitive functioning and its effects on mortality and disability.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to reliance on self-reported data for diabetes status and functional disability.
Limitations
Functional disability outcomes were based on self-reported measures rather than performance-based tasks, and medication adherence and depression were not assessed.
Participant Demographics
Participants were 559 US adults aged 70 and older, with a majority being Caucasian and more than half female.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.003
Confidence Interval
AOR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.67–0.96; AOR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.78–0.97
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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