Dra. Troncoso-Pantoja, Claudia

Introducción: Estudios previos han asociado la pérdida auditiva con un acelerado deterioro cognitivo durante el envejecimiento; no obstante, esta asociación no ha sido estudiada en adultos mayores chilenos. Objetivo: Investigar la asociación entre la discapacidad auditiva y la sospecha de deterioro cognitivo a través del cuestionario Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE, versión abreviada) en esta población. Material y método: Se incluyeron 1.384 adultos mayores de 60 años de la encuesta nacional de salud 2009-2010. Un puntaje <13 puntos en el MMSE se consideró sospecha de deterioro cognitivo. La discapacidad auditiva se determinó a través de un cuestionario de tamizaje autorreportado de tres preguntas. La asociación entre estas dos variables se investigó mediante análisis de regresión logística. Resultados: Se identificó una asociación significativa entre el MMSE alterado y cada una de las discapacidades auditivas estudiadas. A su vez, existió una tendencia a aumentar en 59% la probabilidad de desarrollar deterioro cognitivo en la medida que aumentaron las discapacidades auditivas (OR: 1,59 [95% IC: 1,38 a 1,82], p <0,0001). Conclusión: La disminución de la percepción auditiva es un factor de riesgo para el desarrollo de deterioro cognitivo y posteriormente demencia. La creación de políticas públicas, orientadas al tamizaje temprano en población de riesgo, podría ser una solución efectiva para prevenir las consecuencias asociadas con esta condición.

Background: Numerous studies have identified the role of Fat-mass-associated-gene (FTO) in the development of obesity. Aim: To investigate the association of FTO gene with adiposity markers in Chilean adults. Material and Methods: 409 participants were included in this cross-sectional study. The association between FTO (rs9939609) genotype and adiposity markers was determined using linear regression analyses. Adiposity markers included were: body weight, body mass index, fat mass, waist circumference, hip circumference and waist/hip ratio. Results: A fully adjusted model showed a significant association between FTO genotype and body weight (2.16 kg per each extra copy of the risk allele [95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.45 to 3.87], p = 0.014), body mass index (0.61 kg.m-2 [95% CI: 0.12 to 1.20], p = 0.050) and fat mass (1.14% [95% CI: 0.39 to 1.89], p = 0.010). The greater magnitude of association was found between the FTO gene and fat mass when the outcomes were standardized to z-score. Conclusions: This study confirms an association between the FTO gene and adiposity markers in Chilean adults, which is independent of major confounding factors.

Background: Although cardiovascular risk factors are associated with an impaired cognitive function, the impact of diabetes on cognitive function in Chilean adults is unknown. Aim: To investigate the association of diabetes or family history of the disease with cognitive impairment in older adults. Materials and Methods: Data from the 2009-2010 Chilean National Health Survey including 1,384 participants aged ≥ 60 years were included in this study. A score below 13 points for the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) was considered an indication of cognitive impairment. Logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the association between MMSE, diabetes and family history of the disease. Results: Cognitive impairment increased with age (Odds ratio (OR): 1.83 [95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.53; 2.19], p < 0.01, per 5 years increment in age). This trend was greater in individuals with diabetes (OR: 2.37 [95% CI: 1.68; 3.35], p < 0.01) compared to those without the disease. A similar trend was identified among individuals with a family history of diabetes compared to those without. Conclusions: Older adults with diabetes are more susceptible to develop cognitive impairment.