Life course socioeconomic disadvantage and cognitive function among the elderly population of seven capitals in Latin America and the Caribbean.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the influence of life course socioeconomic disadvantages (SED) on cognitive function in later life.

METHOD

Data originate from a survey of people 60 and older living in seven Latin American and Caribbean cities. Cognitive function was measured with a modified Mini-Mental State Examination and the Pfeffer Scale of Functional Capacity. Homogeneity tests were used to pool data. Associations between cognitive function and SED were evaluated, fitting logistic regressions.

RESULTS

Cognitive impairment (CI) prevalence ranged from 0.3% to 6.5% in men and 1.2% to 10.1% in women. Childhood rural living, poor childhood health, illiteracy, housewife or farmer occupation, and insufficient income were associated with CI in all seven cities. The odds of CI increase with cumulative exposure to disadvantages along life course.

CONCLUSIONS

Life course SED is related to cognitive function later in life. Difficulty in properly distinguishing cognitive function from test performance remains an issue.