Chronic Respiratory Disease and Cognitive Impairment in Older Mexican Adults

Background: Cognitive impairment has emerged as an important concern in clinical practice in aging population. Several comorbid factors contribute to etiopathogenesis; one disease of interest is chronic respiratory disease. Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the association of chronic respiratory disease with risk of cognitive impairment in older Mexicans. Materials and Methods: Data were obtained from 2782 Mexicans, aged ≥60 years, enrolled in waves I (2001) and III (2012) of the Mexican Health and Aging Study, a prospective cohort of nationally representative sample of older Mexicans. Participants' self-reported responses were used to categorize them into having respiratory disease or not. Study outcome included participants categorized into 'cognitively impaired' or 'cognitively normal' groups. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to investigate the relationship. Results: Overall, 16% of cohort participants reported cognitively impaired at Wave III. Compared with older Mexicans without chronic respiratory disease diagnosis, those diagnosed were not significantly associated with risk of cognitive impairment [adjusted odds ratio (OR): 0.94, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.58-1.58]. Conclusion: Chronic respiratory disease is not significantly associated with risk of cognitive impairment in older Mexican adults.