scholarly journals A Comparison of Cognitive Function in Pine Study to Health and Retirement Study & CHARLS Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 924-924
Author(s):  
Charu Verma ◽  
Mailun Zhang ◽  
Mengting Li ◽  
Stephanie Bergren ◽  
XinQi Dong

Abstract Healthy immigrant theory assumes that immigrants have better health than natives, while it remains unclear whether this theory applies to older Chinese Americans with respect to cognitive health. The objective of this study was to estimate the differences in cognitive function between the US and Chinese older adults. PINE (n=3,157) (2011-2013) with Chinese older adults was compared to HRS study (2010-2011) (n=22,034) and HRS sister CHARLS (n=17,708) (2010-2011). Cognitive function was assessed by episodic memory, working memory, executive function, and MMSE. Cognition impairment was defined by 1.5 standard deviations below mean of z scores. After 1:1 matched samples determined by propensity score and verified by McNemar and Cohen’s Kappa test, conditional logistic regression model with demographic variables controlled was used to assess the differences between the three studies. Multivariable analyses results showed that participants from PINE are 5.667 (OR= 5.667, 95% CI 3.893-8.248, p < .001) times more likely to have cognitive impairment in comparison to HRS’s and 0.166 (OR= 0.166, 95% CI 0.136-0.203, p < .001) times less likely in comparison to CHARLS’s. Result demonstrated that Chinese older adults living in the US have a higher likelihood of cognitive impairment in comparison to the US older adults but less likely than those living in China. Healthy immigrant theory is partially supported in Chinese Americans. Immigrants with better cognitive health are likely to migrate to the US, but limited social engagement in the receiving communities might be a risk factor for cognitive function, leading to worse cognitive health than natives.

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S929-S929
Author(s):  
Dexia Kong ◽  
XinQi Dong

Abstract The increasing diversity in U.S. aging population warrants improved understanding of risk factors of cognitive aging in minority populations. This study presents the prevalence of incident cognitive impairment (CI) among U.S. Chinese older adults; and the relationship between social engagement and incident CI. Data were obtained from the Population-based Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago, a prospective cohort study of Chinese older adults. Baseline (collected between 2011 and 2013) and one subsequent wave of data (collected between 2013 and 2015) were used in analyses (N=2,713). Social engagement was measured by the frequency of participation in social and cognitive activities (range=0-65). Cognitive function was assessed by a battery of 5 validated instruments. Incidence of CI was defined as having a follow-up cognition score lower than 1.5 standard deviations below the mean baseline cognition score. Logistic regression analyses were conducted. Nearly 6% of the sample reported incident CI. Chinese older adults who are more socially-engaged had a lower likelihood of developing CI (odds ratio [OR] 0.94, 0.92-0.96). The relationship was consistent across cognitive domains, including episodic memory (OR 0.95, 0.92-0.97), working memory (OR 0.92, 0.88-0.95), and perceptual speed (OR 0.95, 0.92-0.98). Furthermore, older age (OR 1.12, 1.09-1.15), and lower education (OR 0.91, 0.87-0.96) were associated with incident CI. No significant association was observed between gender, income, marital status, household size, acculturation, medical morbidities, depressive symptoms, and incident CI. The findings highlight the importance of social engagement in cognitive aging. Discrepancies with prior literature and implications of these findings will be discussed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 226-235
Author(s):  
Fengyan Tang ◽  
Wei Zhang ◽  
Iris Chi ◽  
Mengting Li ◽  
Xin Qi Dong

This study investigates the differential associations of activity engagement and perceived neighborhood characteristics (i.e., cohesion, disorder, sense of community) with cognitive measures. Using data of 2,713 Chinese older adults in Chicago, who completed two interviews between 2011 and 2015, we identified three activity domains: reading, social, and games. In general, engagement in more reading and social activities was associated with better baseline cognitive function, but the positive effects tapered off over time in some cases. Neighborhood cohesion had both direct and indirect effects on cognitive function. Engagement in social activities mediated the neighborhood cohesion effects, that is, living in a cohesive neighborhood promoted social activities and consequently benefited cognitive function. Findings speak to the importance of activity engagement and neighborhood cohesion for cognition among the U.S. Chinese older adults. Future research is needed to investigate the longitudinal relationships of activity engagement and environmental factors with cognitive change.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 330-337
Author(s):  
Jinlei Li ◽  
Zijuan Wang ◽  
Zhiwei Lian ◽  
Zhikai Zhu ◽  
Yuanli Liu

Aims: To examine the association of social networks and community engagement with cognitive impairment among community-dwelling Chinese older adults. Methods: From November 2017 to May 2018, we selected 1,115 elderly individuals from 3 Chinese communities (Beijing, Hefei, and Lanzhou) using a random-cluster sampling method, and recorded data on demographics, social network characteristics, community activities, and cognitive function. The odds ratios (ORs) of these associations were adjusted for potential confounders in logistic regression models. Results: The prevalence of cognitive impairment was 25.7% (n = 287). An adequate social network (OR 0.55; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.33–0.91) and enough social support from friends (OR 0.43; 95% CI 0.29–0.62) were negatively associated with cognitive impairment. Family support was not significantly associated with cognitive impairment (OR 0.64; 95% CI 0.34–1.21). Taking part in elderly group travel, communication with others using WeChat, and community activities such as Tai Chi and walking together were negatively associated with cognitive impairment. Conclusion: Social network characteristics and community engagement were found to be related to cognitive function among community-dwelling Chinese elderly adults.


Gerontology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 246-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mengting Li ◽  
Xinqi Dong

Background: Social network has been identified as a protective factor for cognitive impairment. However, the relationship between social network and global and subdomains of cognitive function remains unclear. Objective: This study aims to provide an analytic framework to examine quantity, composition, and quality of social network and investigate the association between social network, global cognition, and cognitive domains among US Chinese older adults. Methods: Data were derived from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly (PINE), a community-engaged, population-based epidemiological study of US Chinese older adults aged 60 and above in the greater Chicago area, with a sample size of 3,157. Social network was assessed by network size, volume of contact, proportion kin, proportion female, proportion co-resident, and emotional closeness. Cognitive function was evaluated by global cognition, episodic memory, executive function, working memory, and Chinese Mini-Mental State Examination (C-MMSE). Linear regression and quantile regression were performed. Results: Every 1-point increase in network size (b = 0.048, p < 0.001) and volume of contact (b = 0.049, p < 0.01) and every 1-point decrease in proportion kin (b = -0.240, p < 0.01) and proportion co-resident (b = -0.099, p < 0.05) were associated with higher level of global cognition. Similar trends were observed in specific cognitive domains, including episodic memory, working memory, executive function, and C-MMSE. However, emotional closeness was only significantly associated with C-MMSE (b = 0.076, p < 0.01). Social network has differential effects on female versus male older adults. Conclusion: This study found that social network dimensions have different relationships with global and domains of cognitive function. Quantitative and structural aspects of social network were essential to maintain an optimal level of cognitive function. Qualitative aspects of social network were protective factors for C-MMSE. It is necessary for public health practitioners to consider interventions that enhance different aspects of older adults' social network.


Author(s):  
Zi Zhou ◽  
Lun Cai ◽  
Jian Fu ◽  
Yaofeng Han ◽  
Ya Fang

The effects of psychosocial and dietary interventions on risk of cognitive impairment is not known. The aim of this study was to estimate the 10-year risks of cognitive impairment under hypothetical interventions of psychosocial factors and dietary intake among Chinese older adults. A sample of 7377 respondents aged 65 and over was drawn from the last four waves of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey from 2002 to 2011/2012. The parametric g-formula was used to estimate the risk of cognitive impairment under independent hypothetical interventions of social engagement, psychological well-being (PWB), dietary intake, and the joint interventions of their different combination. The observed risk of cognitive impairment was 20.08% (95% confidence interval (CI): 18.81, 21.07). The risk ratios (RR) of cognitive impairment under the hypothetical interventions on higher social engagement, eating fruits at least sometimes, eating vegetables at least sometimes, positive PWB were 0.72 (95% CI: 0.65, 0.82), 0.93 (95% CI: 0.89, 0.95), 0.98 (95% CI: 0.89, 1.00) and 0.99 (95% CI: 0.98, 0.99), respectively. The RR of joint intervention was 0.64 (95% CI: 0.58, 0.73). Hypothetical interventions on psychosocial factors such as social engagement and PWB, as well as fruits and vegetable intake, were beneficial to protect older adults from cognitive impairment.


Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (9) ◽  
pp. 961
Author(s):  
Yen-Han Lee ◽  
Chia-Hung Lin ◽  
Jia-Ren Chang ◽  
Ching-Ti Liu ◽  
Mack Shelley ◽  
...  

Background and Objectives: Living arrangement is a crucial factor for older adults’ health. It is even more critical for Chinese older adults due to the tradition of filial piety. With the aging of China’s population, the prevalence of cognitive impairment among older adults has increased. This study examines the association between living arrangement transition and cognitive function among Chinese older adults. Materials and Methods: Using three waves of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS; 2008–2009, 2011–2012, and 2014), we analyzed data for older adults (age ≥ 65) who lived with other household members and reported good cognitive function or mild cognitive impairment when they participated in the survey. Multistate Cox regression was employed to study changes in cognitive function. Results: Older adults who transitioned to living alone had lower risk of cognitive impairment (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.52, 0.83; p < 0.01), compared with those who continued to live with other household members. Moving into an institution was also not associated with cognitive impairment. Conclusions: With older adults’ transition to living alone, public health practitioners or social workers might educate them on the benefits of such a living arrangement for cognitive function.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 504-504
Author(s):  
Dexia Kong ◽  
Ying-Yu Chao ◽  
Fengyan Tang ◽  
XinQi Dong

Abstract Chinese older adults are particularly vulnerable to social isolation due to various barriers they face in developing/maintaining social networks (i.e. limited English proficiency and transportation barriers) in the U.S. However, the prevalence of social isolation and its potential health consequences in this rapidly growing minority aging population remain poorly understood. To address this knowledge gap, the current study examines the prevalence of social isolation, and the relationship between social isolation and cognitive function among U.S. Chinese older adults. Data were obtained from the Population-based Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago collected between 2011 and 2013 (N=3,157). A four-item index (including living alone, not married, lack of confidant, and low participation in social activities) was constructed to assess social isolation (range: 0 to 4, a score of ≥2 was used to identify individuals who were most isolated). Cognitive function was measured by five validated instruments (range: -2.8 to 2.0). Nearly 22% of the sample were socially isolated. Multivariable linear regression analysis showed that social isolation accounted for 44% of variance in global cognitive functioning. Chinese older adults with greater levels of social isolation had poorer overall cognitive function (B= -0.05, SE=0.01, p=0.001). Study findings highlight the importance of addressing social isolation in cognitive aging among older Chinese Americans. Culturally tailored interventions facilitating the development of supportive social networks/ support have the potential to mitigate cognitive decline in this population. Future longitudinal studies need to elucidate potential mechanisms underlying the relationship between social isolation and cognitive function. Practice implications will be discussed.


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