Journal of Aging and Health
Volume 18, Issue 2, 2006, Pages 292-314

Comparative analysis of cognitive impairment among Mexicans and Spanish-speaking immigrant's elders (Article)

Mejía S.* , Miguel A. , Gutiérrez L.M. , Villa A.R. , Ostrosky-Solis F.
  • a National University of Mexico, Geriatric Clinic, National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition, Mexico
  • b Geriatric Clinic, National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition, Mexico
  • c Geriatric Clinic, National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition, Mexico
  • d Geriatric Clinic, National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition, Mexico
  • e National University of Mexico, Mexico

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to compare the prevalence of cognitive impairment among older Mexicans and Spanish-speaking U.S. immigrants. Methods: The relationship of cognitive impairment with social and demographic variables was explored using data from five different population based survey studies. Results: Prevalence rates increased with age, with low educational level, didn't show a clear association with gender and decreased in married subjects. Estimates of cognitive and functional impairment combined are greater in the immigrant samples than those for Mexican residents. Primary memory measures are the least discriminative for cognitive impairment, whereas orientation, attention, and secondary verbal memory measures discriminate better. Discussion: Mexicans and Spanish-speaking USA immigrants have similar prevalence estimates of cognitive impairment. However, prevalence of functional impairment differs between Mexicans and immigrants because of measurement issues and cultural factors. © 2006 Sage Publications.

Author Keywords

Spanish-speaking elders Cognitive impairment Prevalence estimates Functional impairment

Index Keywords

education immigrant orientation memory demography cognitive defect human verbal memory social aspect Aged Health Surveys Mexico marriage United States Humans Hispanic Cognition Disorders male female Aged, 80 and over Socioeconomic Factors cultural factor prevalence Article major clinical study gender age Sex Factors Age Factors Emigration and Immigration attention health survey
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-33646593841&doi=10.1177%2f0898264305285665&partnerID=40&md5=7fd7550cb13cfa805406b8e7afa3f105
DOI: 10.1177/0898264305285665
ISSN: 08982643
Cited by: 6
Original Language: English