IngentaConnect Sex Differences in Cognitive Performance Among the Very Old-Mini-...

Authors: Juva K.¹; Sulkava R.²; Verkkoniemi A.¹; Niinistö L.³

Source: Journal of Clinical Geropsychology, Volume 7, Number 1, January 2001 , pp. 39-45(7)

Publisher: Springer

Abstract:

We examined 553 persons aged 85 years or more, who comprised 92% of all 601 citizens of a Finnish city Vantaa. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Index of Activities of Daily Living (ADL), and the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) scale were completed. Diagnoses of dementia and depression were made according to the DSM-III-R criteria. Mean MMSE score for men was 20.1 and for women was 16.8 (difference = 3.3 points). When demented subjects (N = 210) were excluded, the difference reduced to 2.2 points. When depressed subjects were also excluded, the difference further reduced to 1.9 points. Education and institutionalization explained some of this difference, but sex also had an independent effect on the MMSE score. The home-dwelling women had lower functional capacity compared with respective men, as measured by the ADL scale. No differences were found in the IADL scale. It seems that men over 85 years of age represent a very select population. Men probably die “earlier” in the course of any deteriorating illness. It is also possible that our measurements of cognitive capacity favor men among very old people.

Keywords: MMSE; ADL; IADL; gender; dementia

Language: English

Document Type: Regular paper

Affiliations: 1: Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Helsinki University Central Hospital, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland 2: Department of Public Health and General Practice, University of Kuopio, 70211 Kuopio, Finland 3: Katriina Community Hospital, Health and Social Welfare Department, Vantaa, 01760 Vantaa, Finland

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Sex Differences in Cognitive Performance Among the Very Old—Mini-Mental State Examination in a Population Aged 85 Years and Over