Disability and cognitive impairment show similar patterns of increasin
g frequency with ageing. A review of the published literature shows th
at there is a cross-sectional relationship between cognitive impairmen
t and disability, independent of demographic, medical, and lifestyle f
actors. Some instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) items appe
ar more specifically related to cognitive impairment, but cognition an
d functional impairment are distinct concepts requiring separate asses
sments. Subjects with low cognitive performances are at higher risk of
functional impairment in the following years. Cognitive impairment as
well as disability increase the risk of death and institutionalizatio
n. Preventive strategies could be directed against the risk factors of
cognitive impairment and disability, and would aim to delay the onset
of dementia. Prevention of disability associated with cognitive impai
rment needs further assessment in elderly community-dwellers. Further
research is needed to better identify the specific areas of cognition
involved in the disablement process.