Association of Osteoarthritis and Functional Limitations With Cognitive Impairment Among Older Adults in the United States

Maxwell J. Rakutt, Ryan A. Mace, Caitlin E.W. Conley, Austin V. Stone, Stephen T. Duncan, Jonathan Greenberg, David C. Landy, Ana Maria Vranceanu, Cale A. Jacobs

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: Given overlapping pathophysiology, this study sought to assess the association between osteoarthritis (OA), functional impairment, and cognitive impairment in the aging population. Methods: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey was used to identify participants >60 years of age. We analyzed multivariable associations of grouped participants that underwent cognitive function testing using linear and logistic regression, adjusting for sex, age, race, and ethnicity. Results: Of 2776 identified participants representing a population of 50,242,917, 40% did not report OA or functional limitations; 21% had OA but not functional limitations; 15% did not have OA but had functional limitations; 17% had OA and related functional limitations; and 7% had OA and non-arthritic functional limitations. OA was not independently associated with cognitive impairment. Contrarily, functional limitations were associated with cognitive impairment regardless of OA diagnosis. Discussion: Cognitive impairment is not associated with OA, but rather functional limitations, potentially guiding future intervention.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)643-650
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Aging and Health
Volume35
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2023

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2023.

Keywords

  • aging
  • cognitive impairment
  • dementia
  • functional limitations
  • osteoarthritis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health(social science)
  • Sociology and Political Science
  • Life-span and Life-course Studies

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