Physical health and lifestyle predictors for significant cognitive impairment in community-dwelling Chinese older adults in Hong Kong
ATC Lee1, WC Chan2, HFK Chiu3, M Richards4, LYF Hui5, SPS Ng5, WM Chan5, LCW Lam3
1 Department of Psychiatry, Tai Po Hospital, Hong Kong
2 Department of Psychiatry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
3 Department of Psychiatry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong
Kong
4 MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing, UK
5 Elderly Health Service, Department of Health, Hong Kong
1. The 6-year incidence of significant cognitive
impairment (SCI) in community-living Chinese
older people in Hong Kong is 8.6%.
2. Old age, female gender, and low educational level are risk factors for SCI.
3. Physical illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, heart disease, and atherosclerosis are risk factors for SCI; early detection and adequate treatment of these illnesses might help reduce the risk of SCI development in older people.
4. Depression is also a risk factor for SCI.
5. Endurance exercises, stretching exercises, and mental activities are protective against development of SCI.
2. Old age, female gender, and low educational level are risk factors for SCI.
3. Physical illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, heart disease, and atherosclerosis are risk factors for SCI; early detection and adequate treatment of these illnesses might help reduce the risk of SCI development in older people.
4. Depression is also a risk factor for SCI.
5. Endurance exercises, stretching exercises, and mental activities are protective against development of SCI.