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Smoking and cognitive impairment among older persons in Malaysia

Momtaz YA 1 , Ibrahim R 2 , Hamid TA 3 , Chai ST 4

Affiliations 

  • 1 Institute of Gerontology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia Iranian Research Center on Aging, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  • 2 Institute of Gerontology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Faculty of Human Ecology, Institute of Gerontology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
  • 3 Institute of Gerontology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Faculty of Human Ecology, Institute of Gerontology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia aizan@upm.edu.my
  • 4 Institute of Gerontology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen, 2015 Jun;30(4):405-11.
PMID: 25260596 DOI: 10.1177/1533317514552318

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Previous studies have shown conflicting results on the association between smoking and cognitive function. This study aims to examine the relationship of smoking with cognitive function.

METHODOLOGY: Data for the study, consisting of 2553 older adults aged 60 years and older, were drawn from a nationwide household survey entitled "Determinants of Wellness among Older Malaysians: A Health Promotion Perspective" conducted in 2010.

RESULTS: Current smokers had lower rates of cognitive impairment compared to never smokers (17.4% vs 25.9%), while cognitive function in former or ex-smokers was almost similar to that of the never smokers. Findings from multiple logistic regression analysis showed that current smokers were 37% less likely to be cognitively impaired, compared to the never smokers (odds ratio [OR] = .63; 95% confidence interval [CI]: .46-.86) while controlling for potential confounders. No difference in cognitive function was observed between former smokers and never smokers (OR = .94; 95% CI: .71-1.25).

CONCLUSION: Although the findings indicated a negative association between cigarette smoking and cognitive impairment, we are unable to conclude whether this relationship is causal or affected by other unmeasured confounding factors, especially survival bias.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

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