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Physical, social and productive leisure activities, cognitive decline and interaction with APOE-ε4 genotype in Chinese older adults

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 January 2008

Matthew Niti
Affiliation:
Gerontological Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore Department of Psychological Medicine, National University of Singapore
Keng-Bee Yap
Affiliation:
Gerontological Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore Department of Geriatric Medicine, Alexandra Hospital, Singapore
Ee-Heok Kua
Affiliation:
Gerontological Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore Department of Psychological Medicine, National University of Singapore
Chay-Hoon Tan
Affiliation:
Gerontological Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore Department of Psychological Medicine, National University of Singapore
Tze-Pin Ng*
Affiliation:
Gerontological Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore Department of Psychological Medicine, National University of Singapore
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Associate Professor. Tze-Pin Ng, Gerontological Research Programme, National University of Singapore, Department of Psychological Medicine, National University Hospital, 5 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119074. Phone: +65 67724514; Fax: +65 67772191. Email: pcmngtp@nus.edu.sg.

Abstract

Background: We evaluated the combined and differential effects of physical, social and productive activities on cognitive decline and whether they were modified by the presence of the APOE-ε4 allele.

Methods: In a prospective cohort study of 1635 community-dwelling Chinese older adults aged 55 or older participating in the ongoing Singapore Longitudinal Aging Study, physical, social and productive leisure activities were assessed at baseline, and cognitive decline (at least one point drop) in MMSE scores between baseline and follow-up after one year.

Results: Cognitive decline was observed in 30% of the respondents. Controlling for age, gender, education and other risk factors, odds ratios (ORs) were significantly reduced in those with medium (OR: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.45–0.79) and high activity levels (OR: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.46–0.84). A stronger association was shown for productive activity (OR = 0.36), than for physical (OR = 0.78) and social activities (OR = 0.85). These associations showed statistically significant interactions with APOE genotype, being more pronounced in those with the APOE-ε4 allele.

Conclusion: Increased leisure activity, especially productive activities more than physical or social activities, was associated with a lowered risk of cognitive decline. APOE-ε4 genotype individuals appeared to be more vulnerable to the effects of low and high levels of leisure activities.

Type
2007 IPA RESEARCH AWARDS – SECOND-PRIZE WINNER
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2008

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