Educational level and age and the performance on the Mini-Mental State Examination in community-dwelling elderly

Authors

  • Breno Satler de Oliveira Diniz Universidade de São; Faculdade de Medicina; Instituto de Psiquiatria do Hospital das Clínicas
  • Fernando Madalena Volpe Universidade Federal de São Paulo; Escola Paulista de Medicina
  • Almir Ribeiro Tavares Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; Faculdade de Medicina; Departamento de Saúde Mental

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0101-60832007000100002

Keywords:

Elderly, cognitive performance, MMSE, educational level

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Low educational level is common among Brazilian elderly and can affect the results of usual cognitive testing. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of age, and educational level on MMSE performance, in a community-dwelling sample of elderly individuals. METHODS: A community sample was obtained, based on the public health program "BH Vida", Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Home visits were done between August 2001 and June 2002. A Portuguese version of the MMSE was administered to the elderly during home visits. RESULTS: Our sample was composed of 176 individuals, aged 65-97 years old (median = 71). Educational level ranged from no formal education to 13 years of education (median = 3). The MMSE scores ranged from 1 to 30 (median = 23). Both age and educational level had a statistically significant influence in MMSE (p < 0.001 e p < 0.0001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Even in the low educational level elderly, length of formal education was a factor significant influencing MMSE score. Increasing age predicted lower total MMSE score.

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Published

2007-01-01

Issue

Vol. 34 No. 1 (2007)

Section

Original Articles

License

Once accepted for publication, the manuscript becomes permanent property of the Archives of Clinical Psychiatry. This copyright transfer subsumes exclusive and unlimited entitlement of the Archives of Clinical Psychiatry to publish and distribute the full contents of articles in whichever publishing medium, including press and electronic media, in Brazil and abroad.

Manuscripts are accepted with the understanding that the Editor and the editorial staff have the right to make revisions aimed at greater conciseness, clarity, and conformity with Journal style, of course without changing its content.

How to Cite

Educational level and age and the performance on the Mini-Mental State Examination in community-dwelling elderly . (2007). Archives of Clinical Psychiatry, 34(1), 13-17. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0101-60832007000100002