ASSOCIATION BETWEEN NUTRITIONAL STATUS & COGNITIVE FUNCTON IN ELDERLY

Abstract

Background: Malnutrition is one of the factors that affect cognitive function in elderly. Currently nutritional disorders are common in the elderly. It may be caused by a decrease in taste and smell function, socioeconomic factors, decreased mobility, accompanying diseases and decreased oral and dental health in elderly.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the association between nutritional status and cognitive function in the elderly.

Methods: This cross-sectional study involved subject with consecutive sampling techniques. Elderly people aged over 60 years who were in the district of Medan Helvetia and fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in this study from February until April 2020. Cognitive examination were assessed using Montreal Cognitive Assessment Indonesian Version (MoCA-INA) and Visual Cognitive Assessment Test (VCAT). Nutritional status was assessed using Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA).

Results: This study was conducted on 71 samples consisting of 42 women and 29 men with a mean age of 68.68 ± 6.35 years. There were 32 subjects (45.1%) who were malnourished and at risk of malnutrition. The average MoCA INA score was 19.80 ± 4.07 and the VCAT score was 17.24 ± 5.17. Subjects who were malnourished (32 subjects) had lower MoCA-INA score and there was a relationship between nutritional status and MoCA INA with p = 0.002 (α <0.05). Subjects who were malnourished had lower VCAT score and there was a relationship between nutritional status and VCAT score with p = 0.004 (α <0.05).

Conclusions: There is significant relationship between nutritional status and cognitive function in elderly.