Health Literacy Risk in Older Adults With and Without Mild Cognitive Impairment

Background The relationship between an increasing elderly population and wide-ranging neurological conditions has led to heightened rates of cognitive function impairment. Some researchers have found that health literacy risk may be associated with cognitive impairment in older adults. Objectives The purpose of this study was to delineate the difference in health literacy risk between older adults with mild cognitive impairment and those with normal cognitive function. Methods We conducted a survey study to explore the health literacy risk in older adults with and without mild cognitive impairment. Data were collected from 412 subjects between 60 and 91 years of age (260 without and 152 with mild cognitive impairment) between June and December 2016 in China. Cognitive function was measured using the Mini-Mental Status Examination, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Global Deterioration Scale, Activities of Daily Living, and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Health literacy was measured using the Chinese Citizen Health Literacy Questionnaire. Results The scores of total health literacy and its three dimensions (basic health knowledge and mind, basic skills, and health lifestyle and behavior) were lower in those with mild cognitive impairment. Older adults with normal cognitive function had adequate or marginal health literacy levels, whereas those with mild cognitive impairment had marginal or inadequate health literacy levels. Using multiple logistic regression analysis, we found that health literacy risk, education level, age, marital status, and body mass index were independent risk factors for mild cognitive impairment. Discussion These results suggest that low health literacy may be a predictor of mild cognitive impairment. Screening for lower health literacy risk should be included in multidimensional geriatric evaluation.