Executive dysfunction correlates with impaired functional status in older adults with varying degrees of cognitive impairment


Autoria(s): PEREIRA, F. S.; YASSUDA, M. S.; OLIVEIRA, A. M.; FORLENZA, O. V.
Contribuinte(s)

UNIVERSIDADE DE SÃO PAULO

Data(s)

19/10/2012

19/10/2012

2008

Resumo

Background: Previous studies have reported an association between executive dysfunction and the ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL)s among older adults. This study aims to examine the association between executive functions and functional status in a cross-section of older adults with varying degrees of cognitive impairment. Methods: 89 individuals (mean age 73.8 years) were recruited at a memory clinic in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Subjects underwent evaluation, and were allocated into three diagnostic groups according to cognitive status: normal controls (NC, n = 32), mild cognitive impairment (MCI, n = 3 1) and mild Alzheimer`s disease (AD, n=26). Executive functions were assessed with the 25-item Executive Interview (EXIT25), and functional status was measured with the Direct Assessment of Functional Status test (DAFS-R). Results: Significantly different total DAFS-R scores were observed across the three diagnostic groups. Patients with AD performed significantly worse in EXIT25 compared with subjects without dementia, and no significant differences were detected between NC and MCI patients. We found a robust negative correlation between the DAFS-R and the EXIT25 scores (r=-0.872, p < 0.001). Linear regression analyses suggested a significant influence of the EXIT-25 and the CAMCOG on the DAFS-R scores. Conclusion: Executive dysfunction and decline in general measures of cognitive functioning are associated with a lower ability to undertake instrumental ADLs. MCI patients showed worse functional status than NC subjects. MCI patients may show subtle changes in functional status that may only be captured by objective measures of ADLs.

FAPESP[02/12633-7]

Associacao Beneficiente Alzira Denise Hertzog (ABADHS)

Identificador

INTERNATIONAL PSYCHOGERIATRICS, v.20, n.6, p.1104-1115, 2008

1041-6102

http://producao.usp.br/handle/BDPI/23432

10.1017/S1041610208007631

http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1041610208007631

Idioma(s)

eng

Publicador

CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS

Relação

International Psychogeriatrics

Direitos

restrictedAccess

Copyright CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS

Palavras-Chave #executive function #functional status #DAFS-R #EXIT25 #mild cognitive impairment #Alzheimer`s disease #ALZHEIMERS-DISEASE #INSTRUMENTAL ACTIVITIES #COMPLEX ACTIVITIES #DEMENTIA #ASSOCIATION #PERFORMANCE #DEPRESSION #PREDICTION #CONVERSION #DIAGNOSIS #Psychology, Clinical #Geriatrics & Gerontology #Gerontology #Psychiatry #Psychology
Tipo

article

original article

publishedVersion