Asociación entre nivel educacional y sospecha de deterioro cognitivo en personas mayores chilenas: resultados de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud 2016-2017 / Association between educational level and suspicion of cognitive imparirment in Chilean older people

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: A low education level has been associated with cognitive impairment in older adults. AIM: To determine the association between educational attainment and suspicion of cognitive imparirment in older Chilean population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data from 2,005 adults aged ≥ 60 years assessed during 2016-2017 Chilean National Health Survey were included. Education was self-reported and categorized as primary ≤ 8 years; secondary 9 to 12 years and beyond secondary > 12 years. suspicion of cognitive imparirment was assessed with the Mini-Mental questionnaire. RESULTS: Men and women with low education attainment had a higher prevalence of cognitive impairment (33% [95% confidence intervals (CI) 24; 41] and 27% [95% CI 21; 33], respectively). Men who reported less schooling (≤ 8 years) were more likely to be at risk of suspicion of cognitive imparirment (Odds ratio (OR) 4.53 [95% CI 1.10, 18.62]) compared to their peers. Women showed a substantially higher magnitude of association than men. The probability of suspicion of cognitive imparirment increased 9-times (OR 9.96 [95% CI 1.24; 79.6]) for 9-12 years and 18-times for ≤ 8 years of education (OR 18.8 [95% CI 2.42; 146.1]) compared to women with higher education. CONCLUSIONS: Older adults with low education attainment had an increased likelihood of developing suspicion of cognitive imparirment. However, the risk differs by sex, being higher in women than men.