Level of cognitive functioning among elderly patients in urban area of Bangladesh: A cross-sectional study

Bangladesh is experiencing rapid urbanization and a growing elderly population, particularly in urban areas. Cognitive decline, ranging from mild cognitive impairment to dementia, is a prevalent issue among elderly populations globally. Understanding the current state of cognitive functioning in this demographic is essential for informing effective healthcare plans and programs. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of cognitive decline and its associated factors among urban-dwelling elderly adults in Bangladesh, using the Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale (RUDAS) to assess cognitive function. This cross-sectional study employed systematic random sampling among 150 elderly participants (aged 60-85 years) from the outpatient department of the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR) in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The mean age of participants was 67.41 ± 6.31 years, with a male predominance (53.3%). Cognitive function was impaired in a majority of participants, with 53.3% classified as having dementia, 38.7% with MNCD, and only 8% showing normal cognitive function. Significant predictors of cognitive function included age (r = -0.451, P < 0.001), educational level (P = 0.009), and diabetes (P = 0.038). Female participants had lower mean cognitive function scores compared to males (21.16 ± 5.25 vs. 22.03 ± 4.36, P = 0.271). Cognitive impairment is highly prevalent among elderly individuals in urban Bangladesh, with age, educational level, and diabetes being key predictors. These findings highlight the need for public health interventions and policies focused on early screening and targeted healthcare for cognitive decline in this demographic.