Factors associated with performance in the Mini mental state examination of socially and physically active young and long old elderly – a comparative study

• Autor(a) principal: Machado, Julia de Freitas
• Data de Publicação: 2022
• Outros Autores: Argimon, Irani Iracema de Lima, Bós, Ângelo José Gonçalves
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: PAJAR - Pan American Journal of Aging Research
• Texto Completo: https://revistaseletronicas.pucrs.br/ojs/index.php/pajar/article/view/42857
• topic: envelhecimento; cognição; longevidade; estado mental; depressão; aging; cognition; longevity; mental state; depression

Objective: to compare the performance in the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) of socially and physically active young and long-lived elderly people in Porto Alegre. Methods: the population studied consisted of young (60-79) and long-lived (80 or older) elderly. To compare the performance between the two groups of elderly people, a sociodemographic and health questionnaire was carried out, which also evaluated weekly activities and satisfaction in relation to family functionality. To investigate the presence of depressive depression, the Reduced Scale was used.  Results: a total of 135 elderly people were evaluated, including 111 young people and 24 long-lived. No significant differences were found in cognitive assessments between the two groups. High schooling was a significant factor for better performance on the Mini Mental State Examination. Having few depressive symptoms, staying physically active and having the habit of reading weekly were also important factors for better performance on the Mini Mental State Examination. Conclusion: we conclude that good educational level, low prevalence of depressive symptoms, good self-perception of health and regular practice of physical activity were important variables in maintaining a good cognitive level, both in young and long-lived elderly.