Cognitive impairment no dementia and associations with health literacy, self-management skills, and functional health status.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the prevalence of cognitive impairment no dementia (CIND) among a diverse, community-based population, and establish associations between CIND and health literacy, chronic disease self-management and functional health status.

METHODS

863 primary care adults without dementia aged 55-74. Adjusted logistic and linear regressions were used to assess associations between CIND (None, Mild, Moderate/Severe) and outcomes.

RESULTS

36 % participants exhibited CIND. It was strongly associated with limited health literacy (Newest Vital Signs: Mild [OR 3.25; 95 % CI 1.93, 5.49], Moderate/Severe [OR 6.45; 95 % CI 3.16, 13.2]; Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults: Mild [OR 3.46; 95 % CI 2.08, 5.75], Moderate/Severe [OR 8.82; 95 % CI 4.87, 16.0]; all p's < 0.001) and poor chronic disease self-management (Mild [B = -11.2; 95 % CI -13.5, -8.90], Moderate/Severe CI [B = -21.0; 95 % CI -23.6, -18.4]; both p's < 0.001). Associations between CIND and functional health status were non-significant.

CONCLUSIONS

CIND was prevalent in this cohort, and strongly associated with requisite skills for managing everyday health needs.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Attention to subtle declines in chronic disease self-care may assist with CIND identification and care management within this population. When CIND is observed, clinicians should also expect and address difficulties with self-management.