J Prev Med Public Health.  2021 Nov;54(6):395-403. 10.3961/jpmph.21.384.

The Effects of Social Activities and Living Arrangements on Cognitive Functions in Middle-aged and Elderly Adults: A Panel Study Using the 2006-2018 Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Preventive Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
  • 2Environmental Health Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
  • 3Institute of Environmental Medicine, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul, Korea
  • 4Department of Health Policy and Management, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
  • 5Institute of Health Policy and Management, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul, Korea

Abstract


Objectives
Previous studies have shown that participation in social activities (SA) can prevent cognitive decline (CD) and that living arrangements (LA) can affect cognitive function. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of SA and LA on CD, as well as their interactions, using longitudinal data.
Methods
Data were used from the 2006-2018 Korean Longitudinal Study for Aging, which followed 10 254 adults older than 45 years over a 12-year period. CD was defined as a ≥4-point score decrease in the Mini-Mental Status Exam over 2 years. We developed an extended Cox proportional hazards model for time-dependent covariates to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) of CD in 4 groups: (1) socially active and living with others, (2) socially active and living alone, (3) socially inactive and living with others (SILO), and (4) socially inactive and living alone (SILA). The model was stratified by gender and adjusted for important confounders.
Results
The HR of CD was significantly higher in the SILO group in men (HR,1.36; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08 to 1.78) and in the SILA group in women (HR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.08 to 2.75). However, the interaction term for gender was not significant.
Conclusions
Among socially inactive elderly adults, the HR of CD was elevated in men who lived with others and in women who lived alone, although the interaction term for gender was not significant. Socially inactive men who live with others and socially inactive women who live alone are particularly encouraged to participate in SA to prevent CD.

Keyword

Dementia; Cognitive decline; Mini-Mental State Examination; Social activities; Living arrangements
Full Text Links
  • JPMPH
Actions
Cited
CITED
export Copy
Close
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Similar articles
Copyright © 2024 by Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors. All rights reserved.     E-mail: koreamed@kamje.or.kr