Predictores de fragilidad cognitiva en una muestra de adultos mayores portugueses

Abstract

The main objectives of this research were to estimate the prevalence of reversible and potentially reversible cognitive frailty (CF-R, CF-PR) in a Portuguese sample of old adults and to explore the associations between these phenotypes and demographic factors, comorbidity, social support, mental health, and cognitive reserve. Frailty was evaluated in 250 portuguese adults living in the community (179 women) aged 60 years or older (mean 71.04) without dementia, neurological or psychiatric diseases. Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) were diagnosed according to standard criteria. Charlson- lndex, MOS-SSS-q, GHQ-12 and CRiq were the measurement instruments used to assess comorbidity, social support, mental health, and cognitive reserve, respectively. The results indicated a 14% ofprevalence ofCF-R anda 15.2% ofprevalence ofCF-PR. Cognitive frailty pro files differed significantly in relation to education, comorbidity, mental health, and cognitive reserve, but not in relation to age or gender. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that age, gender, comorbidity, social support, mental health, and cognitive reserve, together, predicted CF-R and CF-PR (90% specificity, 75% sensitivity) with a significant OR for mental health and cognitive reserve. From the results obtained, it is concluded that mental health and cognitive reserve are important factors for predicting CF-R and CF-PR. From the conclusions of this work, we recommend of the evaluation of these factors for the early detection of cognitive frailty, as well as the promotion of psychological well- being and lifestyles that increase cognitive reserve in adults.