Association of Cognitive Performance with Frailty in Older Individuals with Cognitive Complaints

Abstract

Objectives Frailty is a risk factor for poor cognitive performance in older adults. However, few studies have evaluated the association of cognitive performance with frailty in a low- to middle-income country (LMIC). This study aimed to investigate an association between cognitive performance and frailty in older adults with memory complaints in Brazil. Secondarily, we aim to assess an association of cognitive performance with gait speed and grip strength. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Outpatient service from a LMIC Participants Older adults with memory complaints reported by the participants, their proxies, or their physicians. Measurements Frailty was evaluated using the Cardiovascular Health Study criteria. A neuropsychological battery evaluated memory, attention, language, visuospatial function, executive function. Linear regression analysis with adjustment for age, sex, and education was used. We also evaluated the interaction of education with frailty, grip strength, and gait speed. Results Prefrailty was associated with poor performance in the memory domain, as well as slower gait speed was associated with worse performance in memory, attention, language, and executive function. Frailty and grip strength were not associated with cognitive performance. Interactions of education with gait speed were significant for global performance, as well as for attention and visuospatial ability. Conclusion In elderly patients with memory complaints, prefrailty was associated with poor memory performance. Slowness was associated with poorer performance in some cognitive domains, mainly in participants with low education.