The Relationship Between Serum Folic Acid Levels With The Cognitive Function of The Elderly

Authors

  • Hermanto Hermanto Department of Neurology Faculty of Medicine Diponegoro University/Kariadi Hospital Semarang, Indonesia, Indonesia
  • Hexanto Muhartomo Department of Neurology Faculty of Medicine Diponegoro University/Kariadi Hospital Semarang, Indonesia, Indonesia
  • Amin Husni Department of Neurology Faculty of Medicine Diponegoro University/Kariadi Hospital Semarang, Indonesia, Indonesia
  • Maria Immaculata Widiastuty Department of Neurology Faculty of Medicine Diponegoro University/Kariadi Hospital Semarang, Indonesia, Indonesia
  • Herlina Suryawati Department of Neurology Faculty of Medicine Diponegoro University/Kariadi Hospital Semarang, Indonesia, Indonesia
  • Arinta Puspita Wati Department of Neurology Faculty of Medicine Diponegoro University/Kariadi Hospital Semarang, Indonesia, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36408/mhjcm.v10i2.891

Keywords:

Cognitive function, MoCA-INA, Serum Folic Acid Levels

Abstract

Background: Cognitive decline is a common condition that occurs in the elderly. One of the early indicators of senility is a decrease in cognitive function. Folic acid is thought to protect the arteries from damage because of homocysteine by converting homocysteine into cysteine and then excreted in the urine. Increased levels of homocysteine can interfere with vascular function and cause toxic effects on neurons thereby increasing the risk of cognitive decline.

Objective: To determine the relationship between serum folic acid levels and cognitive function of the elderly.

Method: Analytical descriptive research with a cross-sectional approach. The research subjects were the elderly who met the inclusion criteria and did not have exclusion criteria. The research was conducted from May to July 2022 at the Pucang Gading Nursing Home, Semarang. Serum folic acid levels were examined using the ELISA (Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) method. Cognitive function was assessed using the Indonesian version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) simultaneously on the subject. Cognitive function is normal if the MoCA-INA value is ≥ 26 and it is said to be cognitive dysfunction if the MoCA-INA value is < 26. Data were analyzed using the Spearman test. Results are considered significant if the value of p <0.05. 

Result: There is a strong positive correlation between serum folic acid levels and cognitive function in the elderly (r=0.914, p<0.001). There is a relationship between educational level and cognitive function (r=0.922, p<0.001) where higher education correlates with increased cognitive function in the elderly.

Conclusion: There is a significant positive correlation between serum folic acid levels and cognitive function in the elderly

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Additional Files

Published

2023-07-31

How to Cite

1.
Hermanto H, Muhartomo H, Husni A, Widiastuty MI, Suryawati H, Wati AP. The Relationship Between Serum Folic Acid Levels With The Cognitive Function of The Elderly. Medica Hospitalia J. Clin. Med. [Internet]. 2023 Jul. 31 [cited 2024 May 13];10(2):198-202. Available from: http://medicahospitalia.rskariadi.co.id/medicahospitalia/index.php/mh/article/view/891

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 2 (2023): Med Hosp; July 2023

Section

Original Article

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Copyright (c) 2023 Hermanto Hermanto, Hexanto Muhartomo, Amin Husni, Maria Immaculata Widiastuty, Herlina Suryawati, Arinta Puspita Wati

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