Association of Alcohol Consumption with Cognition and Functionality in Older Adults Aged 75+ Years: The Pietà Study.

The relationship between alcohol consumption and cognition is still controversial. This is a cross-sectional population-based study conducted in Caeté (MG), Brazil, where 602 individuals aged 75+ years, 63.6% female, and with a mean education of 2.68 years, were submitted to thorough clinical assessments and categorized according to the number of alcoholic beverages consumed weekly. The prevalence rates of previous and current alcohol consumption were 34.6% and 12.3%, respectively. No association emerged between cognitive diagnoses and current/previous alcohol consumption categories. Considering current alcohol intake as a dichotomous variable, the absence of alcohol consumption was associated with dementia (OR = 2.34; 95%CI: 1.39-3.90) and worse functionality (p = 0.001). Previous consumption of cachaça (sugar cane liquor) increased the risk of dementia by 2.52 (95%CI: 1.25-5.04). The association between the consumption of cachaça and dementia diagnosis has not been described before.

Diabetes and impaired fasting glucose in a population-based sample of individuals aged 75 + years: associations with cognition, major depressive disorder, functionality and quality of life-the Pietà study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the rates of diabetes mellitus (DM) and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) in a population-based sample of individuals aged 75 + years old and their associations with cognitive performance, depression, functionality, and quality of life (QoL). STUDY DESIGN: Overall, 350 people participated in the study. Assessments of cognition, mood, functionality and QoL were performed using the mini-mental state examination (MMSE), clock-drawing, category fluency tests, the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview, Pfeffer's Functional Activities Questionnaire, and the WHO Quality of Life-Old (WHOQOL-OLD). RESULTS: IFG (ADA criteria) was identified in 42.1% of the sample, while the DM rate was 24.1%. Lack of knowledge of the DM diagnosis and lack of treatment occurred in 27% and 39% of the sample, respectively. Rates of dementia and depression, MMSE, category fluency scores, and previous cardiovascular events did not differ between the glycaemic groups. Individuals with DM performed worse on the clock-drawing test, functionality, and WHOQOL-OLD than the other participants. Individuals with IFG presented similar QoL and functionality when compared with the group without DM. CONCLUSIONS: IFG and DM were common in this population-based sample aged 75 + years old, as were inadequate diagnoses and treatments of DM. DM individuals presented poor performance in the executive function test, functionality, and QoL. Further studies are recommended to investigate the value of an IFG diagnosis among the most elderly population.

Features associated with cognitive impairment and dementia in a community-based sample of illiterate elderly aged 75+ years: the Pietà study.

A higher level of educational attainment constitutes a protective factor against cognitive decline in the elderly. Nevertheless, the elements underpinning this association are yet not fully understood. OBJECTIVE: The primary aim of this study was to compare cognitively impaired illiterate elderly subjects with cognitively preserved counterparts, according to demographics, comorbidities, lifetime habits and APOE genotype. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional analysis of the illiterate subset of participants (n=174) from the Pietà study, a community-based survey of successful brain aging conducted in Caeté (MG), Brazil. Subjects were categorized into three diagnostic groups: cognitively normal (CN), cognitive impairment no-dementia (CIND) and dementia. The groups were then compared according to selected variables. RESULTS: Subjects with dementia were older and had an increased prevalence of reported stroke or transient ischemic attack. The three groups did not differ in relation to demographics, prevalence of comorbidities, socioeconomic level, previous occupation profile and APOE-ε4 allele frequency. Qualitatively evaluated lifetime habits, such as alcohol consumption, smoking and physical activity engagement were also similar across groups. CONCLUSION: No associations were found between cognitive impairment/dementia and the variables evaluated in this community-based sample of illiterate elderly.

Um alcance educacional mais elevado constitui um fator protetivo contra o declínio cognitivo em idosos. Todavia, os elementos subjacentes a esta associação ainda são pouco compreendidos. OBJETIVO: O principal objetivo deste estudo foi comparar indivíduos analfabetos com comprometimento cognitivo com analfabetos cognitivamente normais, de acordo com aspectos demográficos, morbidades, hábitos de vida e genótipo APOE. MÉTODOS: Este é um estudo transversal da amostra de participantes analfabetos (n=174) do Estudo Pietà, um levantamento de base comunitária sobre envelhecimento cerebral bem sucedido, conduzido em Caeté (MG), Brasil. Os sujeitos foram categorizados em três grupos diagnósticos: cognitivamente normais, comprometimento cognitivo não demência e demência. Os grupos foram então comparados conforme variáveis selecionadas. RESULTADOS: Indivíduos com demência eram mais idosos e apresentaram uma maior prevalência de relato de acidente vascular encefálico ou ataque isquêmico transitório. Os três grupos não se mostraram diferentes em relação à demografia, prevalência de comorbidades, nível socioeconômico, perfil ocupacional prévio e frequência do alelo APOE-ε4. A avaliação qualitativa de hábitos de vida, como o consumo de bebida alcoólica, fumo e engajamento em atividade física também foi semelhante entre os grupos. CONCLUSÃO: Não encontramos associações entre comprometimento cognitivo/demência e as variáveis investigadas nesta amostra comunitária de idosos analfabetos.