Methods and Early Recruitment of a Community-Based Study of Cognitive Impairment Among Mexican Americans and Non-Hispanic Whites: The BASIC-Cognitive Study.

BACKGROUND: As the Mexican American (MA) population grows and ages, there is an urgent need to estimate the prevalence of cognitive impairment or dementia (CID), cognitive trajectories, and identify community resource needs. The Brain Attack Surveillance in Corpus Christi (BASIC)-Cognitive project is a population-based study to address these issues among older MAs and non-Hispanic whites (NHW) and their informal care providers.
OBJECTIVE: Present the methodology and initial recruitment findings for the BASIC-Cognitive project.
METHOD: Random, door-to-door case ascertainment is used in Nueces County, Texas, to recruit community-dwelling and nursing home residents ≥65 and informal care providers. Households are identified from a two-stage area probability sample, using Census data to aim for equal balance of MAs and NHWs. Individuals with cognitive screens indicative of possible CID complete neuropsychological assessment (Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocol from the Health and Retirement Study). Informal care providers complete comprehensive interview and needs assessment. Study pairs repeat procedures at 2-year follow-up. Asset and concept mapping are performed to identify community resources and study care providers' perceptions of needs for individuals with CID.
RESULTS: 1,030 age-eligible households were identified, or 27% of households for whom age could be determined. 1,320 individuals were age-eligible, corresponding to 1.3 adults per eligible household. Initial recruitment yielded robust participation in the MA eligible population (60% of 689 individuals that completed cognitive screening).
CONCLUSION: The BASIC-Cognitive study will provide critical information regarding the prevalence of CID in MAs, the impact of caregiving, and allocation of community resources to meet the needs of this population.