Detection of suspected cognitive impairment and risk factors among older adults in the Maldives
- 1Alzheimer’s Society of Maldives, Malé, Maldives.
- 2Islamic University of Maldives, Malé, Maldives.
- 3Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah Institute of Health Sciences, Gadong, Brunei Darussalam.
Abstract
Dementia is an emerging public health concern in the Maldives due to population aging and increasing noncommunicable diseases.
Objective:: To determine the prevalence of self-reported dementia risk factors and symptoms and to estimate the proportion of individuals with suspected cognitive impairment using the Mini-Cog screening tool.
Methods:: A cross-sectional, communitybased screening study was conducted in four cities in the Maldives (Male’, Addu, Fuvahmulah, and Kulhudhuffushi). Individuals aged ≥60 years or 50–59 years with at least one dementia risk factor were recruited through community screening. Sociodemographic characteristics, risk factors, cognitive symptoms, and Mini-Cog scores were collected using a structured questionnaire. Suspected cognitive impairment was defined as a Mini-Cog score ≤2.
Results:: A total of 940 participants were included (mean age, 62.4 years; 71.2% female). Cardiometabolic risk factors were highly prevalent, including hypercholesterolemia (59.4%), hypertension (50.0%), and diabetes mellitus (36.9%), with over 60% reporting multimorbidity. Common symptoms were memory loss (46.9%) and misplacing items (46.3%); 16.8% reported functional impairment. Among 784 participants with complete Mini-Cog assessments, 278 (35.5%) had suspected cognitive impairment. Multivariable logistic regression showed that increasing age and lower educational attainment were independently associated with suspected cognitive impairment, while hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, and previous stroke were not.
Conclusion:: There is a high burden of modifiable risk factors, cognitive symptoms, and suspected cognitive impairment among adults in the Maldives. Community-based screening may facilitate early identification and support dementia risk reduction strategies. Targeted screening of older adults and those with lower educational attainment may improve case detection.
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BibTeX
@article{fiyaza2026detection,
title = {{Detection of suspected cognitive impairment and risk factors among older adults in the Maldives}},
author = {Mariyam Fiyaza and Zubair Hassan and Rukhsana Ahmed and Shyh Poh Teo},
journal = {Dementia \& Neuropsychologia},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.1590/1980-5764-dn-2026-0560},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-5764-dn-2026-0560},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Detection of suspected cognitive impairment and risk factors among older adults in the Maldives
AU - Mariyam Fiyaza
AU - Zubair Hassan
AU - Rukhsana Ahmed
AU - Shyh Poh Teo
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/02
JO - Dementia & Neuropsychologia
DO - 10.1590/1980-5764-dn-2026-0560
UR - https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-5764-dn-2026-0560
AB - Dementia is an emerging public health concern in the Maldives due to population aging and increasing noncommunicable diseases. Objective:: To determine the prevalence of self-reported dementia risk factors and symptoms and to estimate the proportion of individuals with suspected cognitive impairment using the Mini-Cog screening tool. Methods:: A cross-sectional, communitybased screening study was conducted in four cities in the Maldives (Male’, Addu, Fuvahmulah, and Kulhudhuffushi). Individuals aged ≥60 years or 50–59 years with at least one dementia risk factor were recruited through community screening. Sociodemographic characteristics, risk factors, cognitive symptoms, and Mini-Cog scores were collected using a structured questionnaire. Suspected cognitive impairment was defined as a Mini-Cog score ≤2. Results:: A total of 940 participants were included (mean age, 62.4 years; 71.2% female). Cardiometabolic risk factors were highly prevalent, including hypercholesterolemia (59.4%), hypertension (50.0%), and diabetes mellitus (36.9%), with over 60% reporting multimorbidity. Common symptoms were memory loss (46.9%) and misplacing items (46.3%); 16.8% reported functional impairment. Among 784 participants with complete Mini-Cog assessments, 278 (35.5%) had suspected cognitive impairment. Multivariable logistic regression showed that increasing age and lower educational attainment were independently associated with suspected cognitive impairment, while hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, and previous stroke were not. Conclusion:: There is a high burden of modifiable risk factors, cognitive symptoms, and suspected cognitive impairment among adults in the Maldives. Community-based screening may facilitate early identification and support dementia risk reduction strategies. Targeted screening of older adults and those with lower educational attainment may improve case detection.
SN - 1980-5764
SN - 2764-4863
ER -