J Prev Med Public Health.  2007 Mar;40(2):162-168. 10.3961/jpmph.2007.40.2.162.

Change of Cognitive Function and Associated Factors among the Rural Elderly: A 5-Year Follow-up Study

• Kim SK
• Kang PS
• Hwang TY
• Sakong J
• Lee KS

• KMID: 1125679
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.2007.40.2.162

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This prospective population-based cohort study was conducted to evaluate the risk factors of cognitive impairment and the degree of cognitive function change through a 5-year follow-up. METHODS: The baseline and follow-up surveys were conducted in 1998 and 2003, respectively. Among 176 subjects who had normal cognitive function in the baseline study, 136 were followed up for 5 years. The cognitive function was investigated using the Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE-K). The collected data were analyzed using SPSS and Stata. RESULTS: Of the 136 subjects analyzed, 25 (18.4%) were cognitively impaired. Old age and low social support in the baseline survey were risk factors for cognitive impairment after 5 years. In the generalized estimating equation for 128 subjects except severe cognitive impairment about the contributing factors of cognitive function change, the interval of 5 years decreased MMSE-K score by 1.02 and the cognitive function was adversely affected with increasing age, decreasing education and decreasing social support. CONCLUSIONS: Although the study population was small, it was considered that the study results can be used to develop a community-based prevention system for cognitive impairment.

Keyword

Cognitive disorders; Cognition; Neuropsychological tests; Follow-up studies; Rural health

MeSH Terms

*Rural Health
Neuropsychological Tests
Male
Korea
Humans
Follow-Up Studies
Female
Cognition Disorders/*diagnosis/physiopathology
Aged, 80 and over
Aged