Does 8-Foot Walk Time Predict Cognitive Decline in Older Mexicans Americans?

OBJECTIVES: To examine the association between 8‐foot time walk and change in cognitive function over time in older Mexican Americans. DESIGN: Data used are from the Hispanic Established Population for the Epidemiological Study of the Elderly (1993–2001). SETTING: Five southwestern states: Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, and California. PARTICIPANTS: Two thousand seventy noninstitutionalized Mexican‐American men and women aged 65 and older who had a Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of 21 or greater at baseline. MEASUREMENTS: Sociodemographic factors (age, sex, education, marital status), MMSE score, 8‐foot walk time, body mass index, medical conditions (stroke, heart attack, diabetes mellitus, depression, and hypertension), and near and distant visual impairment. RESULTS: Using general linear mixed models, it was found that subjects with the slowest 8‐foot walk time had a significantly greater rate of cognitive decline over 7 years than subjects with the fastest 8‐foot walk time. There was a significant 8‐foot walk time–by‐time interaction with MMSE scores. Subjects in the lowest 8‐foot walk time quartile had a greater cognitive decline over 7 years (estimate=−0.32, SE=0.08; P <.001) than those in the highest quartile. This association remained statistically significant after controlling for potential confounding factors. CONCLUSION: Slow 8‐foot walk time in older Mexican‐American adults without cognitive impairment at baseline was an independent predictor of MMSE score decline over a 7‐year period. Slow 8‐foot walk time may be an early marker for older adults in a predementia state who may benefit from early‐intervention programs to prevent or slow cognitive decline.