Cognitive Leisure Activity and All-cause Mortality in Older Adults: A 4-Year Community-based Cohort

Abstract

Background: Cognitive leisure activity, such as reading, playing mahjong or cards and computer use, is common among older adults in China. Previous studies suggest a protective role of cognitive leisure activity against cognitive impairment. However, the relationship between cognitive leisure activity and all-cause mortality has rarely been reported.Objectives: This study aims to explore the relationships between cognitive leisure activity and all-cause mortality in a community-based elderly cohort in China.Methods: The current study sample comprised 4003 community residents aged ≥ 60 y who were enrolled in June 2015, and were followed up every year from 2015 to 2018. Reading, playing mahjong or cards and computer use were measured by questionnaires and summed into a cognitive leisure activity index (CLAI) score. Cox proportional hazards analysis and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis were used to examine the association of cognitive leisure activity with all-cause mortality.Results: During the 4-year follow-up of 4003 participants, 208 (5.2%) deaths were registered. Of all participants, 66.8%, 26.7%, 6.1% and 0.35% reported CLAI scores of 0, 1, 2 and 3, respectively. A strong association was noted between the CLA score and all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 0.72, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.54-0.96, P = 0.025). Stratified analysis suggested that a higher CLAI score was significantly associated with a decreased risk of all-cause mortality mainly among those who were male, aged ≥ 80 y, cognitively impaired, and not diagnosed with cancer (P < 0.05).Conclusion: Cognitive leisure activity has beneficial effect on reduced risk of death from all cause among the elderly in China, which helped promote a comprehensive understanding of health characteristics at advanced ages.