Relação entre déficit cognitivo e desempenho físico em idosos: estudo transversal

Abstract

Introduction: Cognition is a bodily function that declines with aging and its changes are characterized by impaired memory, judgment, language and attention. It can occur due to complex neurodegenerative problems that can affect cognitive abilities, physical performance, functionality and can be a marker of dementia, being a critical clinical condition for the community elderly in social vulnerability and a challenge to global health. Objective: To assess the relationship between cognitive impairment and physical performance in community-dwelling elderly people and to identify factors associated with low physical performance. Methods: This is an observational, analytical and cross-sectional study, composed of community-dwelling elderly people living in the city of Parnamirim (Rio Grande do Norte), aged ≥ 60 years. Sociodemographic and clinical-functional data were collected, as well as data on comorbidities, cognitive impairment and physical performance, through the Health Handbook for the Elderly, the Leganés Cognitive Test (PCL) and the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t, chi-square and Poisson regression tests. Results: A total of 760 elderly people were evaluated, with a mean age of 70.18 (±7.11) years. There was a statistically significant association between cognitive impairment and physical performance (p<0.001). The factors associated with low physical performance were: age (p = <0.001), female sex (p = <0.001), use of psychotropic drugs (p = 0.025), diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (p = 0.028) and the presence of cognitive impairment (p = 0.001). Conclusion: We found an association between cognitive decline and physical performance in a sample of community-dwelling elderly. Low physical performance was associated with older age, being a woman, presence of diabetes, use of psychotropic drugs and deficits in cognitive function. Health professionals should be aware of potentially modifiable factors and develop effective preventive and non-pharmacological care measures to improve health outcomes in the elderly, thus improving quality of life, promoting independence and reducing cognitive-functional disabilities.