Assessment of Cognitive Function Using the Mini-Mental State Examination Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study
Keywords:
Mini-Mental State Examination, cross-sectional study, community-dwelling elderly, cognitive function, cognitive impairment, older adults, memory assessment, agingAbstract
Background: Cognitive decline is a common concern of the elderly, which can have a negative impact on memory, function, independence and quality of life for older individuals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate cognitive functioning in older people in the community using the MMSE and to determine the demographic and health-related factors that are associated with cognitive functioning. Methodology: Cross sectional survey based (n=120) structured questionnaire included demographic data, housing status, and chronic medical conditions (i.e. diabetes, hypertension, asthma, epilepsy, lung disease, heart disease, cancer, HIV, AIDS). The cognitive status was assessed by MMSE. Descriptive analysis, independent-samples t-tests, Pearson correlation analysis and multiple linear regression were used to analyze the data obtained (p-value < 0.05). Results: The average total MMSE score was 24.9 ± 3.8. Of all participants, 59.2% had normal cognitive function; 32.5% had MCI and 8.3% had MCI (moderate). The age groups and educational levels/housing status differed significantly from each other in MMSE score (p < 0.05). Correlation between age and MMSE score was strong and negative (r = −0.61, p < 0.001) while educational level was strongly and positively correlated with MMSE (r = 0.58, p < 0.001). Educational level was the most significant positive predictor (β = 0.37, p < 0.001) while age was the most significant negative predictor (β = −0.42, p < 0.001) in multiple linear regression. Conclusion: The cognitive function was normal in the majority of older adults living in the community, but a significant portion of study participants had mild to moderate impairment. Better cognitive outcomes were correlated with education and older age was correlated with poorer cognitive performance.
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