Extent, Spectrum, and Predictors of Cognitive Impairment in Urban Geriatric Population in a District of North India

ABSTRACT

Cognitive impairment (CI) is no longer considered a normal and inevitable change of aging. This study was carried out to assess extent, spectrum, and predictors of cognitive impairment in the participants. Acommunity?based cross?sectional study was done on 616 urban geriatric participants of Varanasi city selected by multistage sampling procedure. The participants were interviewed about their sociodemographic profile using a predesigned and pretested pro forma, and their cognition was assessed through Mini-Mental State Examination tool. Logistic regression analysis was applied for an inferential purpose. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence interval were computed. Extent of cognitive impairment in geriatric participants was 22.4%. AORs were maximum in ?80 years (21.23; 95% Confidence Interval 7.05–63.94), in illiterate and just literate participants (13.71; 95% Confidence Interval 6.49–28.98) and in homemakers (17.0; 95% Confidence Interval 4.28–67.49). Nine out of 40 urban geriatric participants had cognitive impairment. Adversities of cognitive impairment were more with advancing age, nonengagement in gainful employment, and low literacy levels.