COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT AND MORTALITY IN OLDER COMMUNITY RESIDENTS

Objectives. Cognitive impairment among the elderly has been linked to mortality in studies of clinical populations. The purpose of this stud y was to examine the mortality risk associated with cognitive impairme nt among elderly populations in the community. Methods. Cognitive impa irment and other social and health factors were assessed in 1855 elder ly community residents. This sample was reinterviewed periodically to assess changes in health and survival. Results. At baseline 33% of the sample were mildly impaired and 8% were severely impaired. Across a 4 8-month observation period the survival probability was .85 for the co gnitively unimpaired, .69 for the mildly impaired, and .51 for severel y impaired respondents. When adjustments were made for the effects of other health and social covariates, severely impaired persons were twi ce as likely to die as unimpaired persons. Those who were mildly impai red were also at an increased risk. Conclusions, Other investigators h ave found that cognitive impairment is a significant predictor of deme ntia. We found that it is a significant predictor of mortality as well . Early detection of impaired cognition and attention to associated he alth problems could improve the quality of life of these older adults and perhaps extend their survival.