The Association between Height and Cognitive Function in Community Dwelling Old Women.

Kim, Moo Young; Lee, Ji Won; Im, Jee Aee; Lee, Duk Chul

doi:2010.31.2.108

Korean J Fam Med > Volume 31(2); 2010 > Article

Original Article

Korean Journal of Family Medicine 2010;31(2):108-114.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4082/kjfm.2010.31.2.108 Published online February 20, 2010.

The Association between Height and Cognitive Function in Community Dwelling Old Women.

Moo Young Kim, Ji Won Lee, Jee Aee Im, Duk Chul Lee

¹Department of Family Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. faith@yuhs.ac
²Sports and Medicine Research Center, INTOTO Inc., Seoul, Korea.

지역사회 60세 이상의 여성에서 키와 인지기능의 관련성

김무영, 이지원, 임지애, 이덕철

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Abstract

Background
There are growing evidences that structural and functional brain reserves may be crucial in cognitive function of late life. In old men, height as an important marker of growth and development, is related to late life cognitive decline or dementia. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship of height to cognitive function in community dwelling old women. Methods: A total of 150 community dwelling old women who can carry out daily life independently were recruited in this study. We measured height, weight and blood pressure with an automatic device and investigated medical history and behavioral habits. We obtained fasting blood samples for the glucose and lipid profile tests and measured physical performance. The Korean version of Mini Mental State Examination (K-MMSE) was used for the assessment of cognitive function. Results: The acceptable cognition group (K-MMSE score ≥ 24) was taller than the impaired cognition group (K-MMSE score < 24) (mean height 150.9 ± 6.1, 148.0 ± 5.4, respectively, P-value < 0.01). In Pearson correlation analysis, height was positively associated with K-MMSE score (r = 0.342, P < 0.01). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that height independently related to K-MMSE score after adjustment of age, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, alcohol drinking, residential district, education, gait speed ( = 0.102, P = 0.03). Conclusion: Height was independently associated with cognitive function in community dwelling old women. For the evaluation of the relationship between height and cognition in diverse cohorts, many studies will be necessary.

Key Words: Body Height; Cognition; Dementia