Comparative analysis of cognitive impairment among Mexicans and Spanish-speaking immigrant's elders.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to compare the prevalence of cognitive impairment among older Mexicans and Spanish-speaking U.S. immigrants. METHODS: The relationship of cognitive impairment with social and demographic variables was explored using data from five different population based survey studies. RESULTS: Prevalence rates increased with age, with low educational level, didn't show a clear association with gender and decreased in married subjects. Estimates of cognitive and functional impairment combined are greater in the immigrant samples than those for Mexican residents. Primary memory measures are the least discriminative for cognitive impairment, whereas orientation, attention, and secondary verbal memory measures discriminate better. DISCUSSION: Mexicans and Spanish-speaking USA immigrants have similar prevalence estimates of cognitive impairment. However, prevalence of functional impairment differs between Mexicans and immigrants because of measurement issues and cultural factors.