Abstract
BACKGROUND: The prevalence of Alzheimer's disease or dementia is rising among the elderly population in the United States and globally. Sociodemographic, cancer, and neurological disorders are associated with cognitive impairment of people living in rural communities. OBJECTIVE: This study identified the association of cognitive impairment with cancer and neurological disorders of the elderly in Cochran and Parmer Counties of rural West Texas. METHODS: Pearson's chi-squared, two-sample independent proportions, binary logistic regression, and multivariable logistic regression methods were utilized to analyze data. RESULTS: Individuals aged 70 and above experiencing memory loss in Cochran and Parmer Counties had a statistically significant association with cognitive impairment (p < 0.001). In Parmer County, females diagnosed with breast cancer demonstrated a significant relationship with cognitive impairment (p < 0.05). Neurological factors, including muscle strength, cerebellar function, ability to rise from a chair, and Romberg test results, were significantly associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairments among females in both counties. After adjusting for covariates, males aged 60-69 in Parmer County, as well as memory loss among both genders, were significantly associated with cognitive impairment (p < 0.001). Additionally, females with cognitive impairment in Cochran County exhibited higher dependence on mental health services compared to males (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Examining the association between cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease and cancer and neurological disorders is important for developing interventions aimed at reducing their prevalence in underserved rural West Texas Counties.