Nur Fazidah, Asmuje and Sumaiyah, Mat and Myint, Phyo Kyaw and Tan, Maw Pin * (2023) Ethnic-Specific Sociodemographic Factors as Determinants of Cognitive Performance: Cross-Sectional Analysis of the Malaysian Elders Longitudinal Research Study. Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders, 51 (5). pp. 396-404. ISSN 1421-9824
Full text not available from this repository.Abstract
Introduction: Despite cognitive impairment being a major health issue within the older population, limited information is available on factors associated with cognitive function among Asian ethnic groups. The objective of this study was to identify ethnic-specific sociodemographic risk factors which are associated with cognitive performance. Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of the Malaysian Elders Longitudinal Research (MELoR) study involving community-dwelling individuals aged >55 years was conducted. Information on sociodemographic factors, medical history, and lifestyle were obtained by computer-assisted interviews in participants' homes. Cognitive performance was assessed with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) tool during subsequent hospital-based health checks. Hierarchical multiple linear regression analyses were conducted with continuous MoCA scores as the dependent variable. Results: Data were available for 1,140 participants, mean (standard deviation [SD]) = 68.48 (7.23) years, comprising 377 (33.1%) ethnic Malays, 414 (36.3%) Chinese, and 349 (30.6%) Indians. Mean (SD) MoCA scores were 20.44 (4.92), 23.97 (4.03), and 22.04 (4.83) for Malays, Chinese, and Indians, respectively (p = 0.01). Age >75 years, <12 years of education, and low functional ability were common risk factors for low cognitive performance across all three ethnic groups. Cognitive performance was positively associated with social engagement among the ethnic Chinese (β [95% CI] = 0.06 [0.01, 0.11]) and Indians (β [95% CI] = 0.16 [0.09, 0.23]) and with lower depression scores (β [(95% CI] = -0.08 [-0.15, -0.01]) among the ethnic Indians. Conclusion: Common factors associated with cognitive performance include age, education, and functional ability, and ethnic-specific factors were social engagement and depression. Interethnic comparisons of risk factors may form the basis for identification of ethnic-specific modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline and provision of culturally acceptable prevention measures.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | aged; cognition; dementia; ethnic-specific factors; ethnicity; Malaysia; sociodemographic factors. |
| Subjects: | B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology R Medicine > RC Internal medicine |
| Divisions: | Others > Non Sunway Academics Sunway University > School of Medical and Life Sciences [formerly School of Healthcare and Medical Sciences until 2020] > Department of Medical Sciences |
| Depositing User: | Ms Yong Yee Chan |
| Date Deposited: | 25 Jul 2024 01:28 |
| Last Modified: | 25 Jul 2024 01:28 |
| URI: | http://eprints.sunway.edu.my/id/eprint/2879 |
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