JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES

Abstract

Background: Smoking is linked to a higher risk of cognitive impairment and dementia in the elderly. Smoking is an important contributing factor to loss of function, mobility and independence in the elderly. Aims: This study was undertaken to assess the effect of smoking on neurocognitive functioning in elderly. Materials and Methods: A Sample of 60 adults aged > 50 years who included 30 smokers and 30 nonsmokers were recruited. Subjects giving informed consent for the study were recruited using inclusion / exclusion criteria from R.L Jalappa medical college and hospital, Tamaka, Kolar. Proforma of sociodemographic details, Hindi Mental state Examination (HMSE) and Brief Cognitive Rating Scale (BCRS) were administered. Appropriate statistical test was used for data analyses using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) 16.0 version. Results: Out of the 60 included subjects,13 non-smokers and 16 smokers were found to have HMSE < 23 and the mean score for non-smokers were (22.93+5.23) and smokers were (22.93+5.23).On BCRS 3 nonsmokers (2.01+0.70) and 6 smokers (2.12+0.96) were found to have a score of >3.Pearson’s correlation was applied between duration, cigarettes per day and pack years of smoking and HMSE of study group and there was a negative correlation and with BCRS there was positive correlation which was significant with p value of < 0.05. Conclusions: From this study we can conclude that prevalence of cognitive impairment increases significantly as the pack year of smoking increases.

Keywords: Cognition, Hindi Mental state Examination and Brief Cognitive Rating Scale.