Low Serum Folic Acid Levels As A Risk Factor for Cognitive Function Impairment in the Elderly at Community Health Centre in South Denpasar

Background: Aging is often associated with progressive loss of function in various systems, including cognitive function. Impairment Cognitive Function (ICF) is thought to be associated with low folic acid levels in the blood, which is often found in the elderly. A cure for cognitive impairment has yet to be found. Measurement of folic acid levels needs to be done to prevent the development of ICF in the elderly in a worse direction. This study aims to prove low serum folic acid levels as a risk factor for ICF in the elderly at the South Denpasar Health Centre. Method: This study used a case-control design, which was conducted in November 2022 - January 2023 at the South Denpasar Health Centre. A total of 32 elderly who met the eligibility criteria and agreed to be included in the study were included as research samples. The condition of GFK was determined based on the results of the MoCA-Ina examination, while serum folic acid levels were analyzed using the ELISA method. The cut-off of serum folic acid levels was determined using a receiver operating curve (ROC). Results: A total of 32 subjects were included in the study and divided into two groups of 16 subjects in both case and control groups. Low serum folic acid level was stated if the level was <48.63 nmol/L and high if the level was ≥48.63 nmol/L. The results showed that serum folic acid levels <48.63 nmol/L were significantly associated with ICF in the elderly at the South Denpasar Health Centre, where elderly with serum folic acid levels <48.63 nmol/L had a risk of 18.778 times experiencing ICF (OR 18.778; 95% IK: 3.181-110.836; p=0.001) compared to elderly with serum folic acid levels ≥48.63 nmol/L. Age, gender, and education did not show a significant relationship with ICF in the elderly at the South Denpasar Health Center. Similarly, hypertension, hyperglycemia, hypercholesterolemia, and hyperuricemia did not show a significant relationship with ICF. Conclusion: Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that serum folic acid level <48.63 nmol/L is a risk factor for ICF in the elderly at the South Denpasar Health Centre.