The relation between cognitive function and UI in healthy, community-dwelling, middle-aged and elderly people.

The aim of this study was to examine the relation between UI and cognitive function among non-disabled middle-aged and elderly community-dwelling people. A total of 201 participants (86 men and 115 women) were given a structured questionnaire regarding their condition of UI as well as a cognitive assessment battery (memory, attention, verbal fluency, information processing speed, and visuospatial function). The results showed a significant relation between UI and cognitive tasks for letter fluency, attention, and information processing speed, while no relation was found in cognitive tasks for memory and visuospatial function. Based on these findings, possible mechanisms regarding the relation between UI and cognitive function, and preventive methods to reduce the prevalence of UI in middle-aged and upper middle-aged community dwellers are discussed.