Cognitive impairment in older adults in South-West Delhi: a cross-sectional study
In a 2023 cross-sectional survey of 290 community-dwelling adults aged 60 and over in South-West Delhi, 37.2% had mild to moderate and 10% severe cognitive impairment; age, education, BMI, physical activity, smoking, alcohol, diet, sleep, mental activity and social engagement were associated with cognitive status. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
The study was a community-based cross-sectional survey of 290 adults aged 60 or older in South-West Delhi, conducted from January to June 2023. [1]
Of the participants, 52.8% had intact cognition, 37.2% mild to moderate impairment and 10% severe impairment. [1]
Age, education, body mass index, physical activity, smoking, alcohol use, dietary intake, sleep quality, mental activity and social engagement were significantly associated with cognitive status. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Community-based cross-sectional study
- Population / context
- Community-dwelling adults aged 60 or older in South-West Delhi, India
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- August 21, 2026
Delhi adults aged 60+ surveyed in 2023
The study asked how common cognitive impairment is and which socio-demographic, health and behavioural factors are associated with it among community-dwelling older adults in urban Delhi. From January to June 2023, 290 adults aged 60 or older in South-West Delhi were selected through multistage sampling. Structured interviews collected socio-demographic, health and lifestyle data. Cognition was measured with the Brief Interview for Mental Status and classified as intact, mild to moderate, or severe impairment.
Supporting source [1]
Impairment shares and factors linked to cognition
Overall, 52.8% had intact cognition, 37.2% mild to moderate impairment and 10% severe impairment. Severe impairment was most prevalent among those aged 81 or older (61.5%) and those with no formal education (55.2%). Intact cognition was highest among skilled workers (26.6%) and those with high school or higher education (43.8%). Age, education, body mass index, physical activity, smoking, alcohol use, dietary intake, sleep quality, mental activity and social engagement were significantly associated with cognitive status. These are associations in a cross-sectional study, not evidence of cause and effect.
Supporting source [1]
Cross-sectional design limits causal conclusions
The authors conclude that cognitive status in older urban adults is shaped by modifiable health and lifestyle factors and suggest that community-based interventions promoting physical activity, social participation and healthy behaviours may help preserve cognition. However, the design was cross-sectional, so it captures associations at one point in time and cannot show whether these factors cause changes in cognition. The abstract does not report follow-up, and the full text was not reviewed.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. The cross-sectional design shows associations at one time point, not causes, and no follow-up is reported. Findings come from one urban area of Delhi and may not apply elsewhere.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Roy S, Ray S. · europepmc.org · August 21, 2026