Sociodemographic features associated with the MoCA, SPPB, and GDS scores in a community-dwelling elderly population

BACKGROUND: An accurate evaluation of cognitive function, physical health, and psychological health is fundamental for assessing health problems in the elderly population, and it is important to identify the necessity of early therapeutic intervention. The objective of this study was to evaluate the states of mental and physical functions and to investigate the relationships between sociodemographic features and these functions in a community-dwelling elderly population.

METHODS: This community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in a suburban district of Shanghai, China. A total of 1025 participants aged 60-89 years underwent investigations of demographic and lifestyle features and a multidimensional geriatric evaluation comprising the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS).

RESULTS: The results of the multivariate linear regression models demonstrated that the MoCA and SPPB scores decreased with advancing age (all P < 0.01). However, the GDS score did not exhibit an age-related decrease (P = 0.09). Both sex and living alone influenced the MoCA score (P < 0.01 and P = 0.04, respectively), SPPB score (P < 0.01 and P = 0.04, respectively), and GDS score (P < 0.01 and P < 0.01, respectively). A higher education level was related to better MoCA and SPPB scores (all P < 0.01). Furthermore, age and sex had interactive effects on the MoCA score (P = 0.03) and SPPB score (P < 0.01). The kernel-weighted local polynomial smoothing curves exhibited similar trends.

CONCLUSIONS: It is imperative to develop a more sensitive evaluation of physical function, and to encourage various intellectually and emotionally stimulating social activity strategies to promote healthy aging, especially in elderly women and those living alone who have a low education level.