Cognitive decline, and quality of life: evidence from community-dwelling older adults in the United Arab Emirates

BACKGROUND: Cognitive function and quality of life (QoL) are closely linked in older adults, with accumulating evidence suggesting that cognitive performance is an important determinant of overall perceived QoL in older adults. OBJECTIVES: To examine cognitive function and its association with multidimensional QOL among adults aged ≥60 years in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and identify sociodemographic and lifestyle correlates. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 606 community-dwelling older adults from the UAE (55.4% male; mean age 67.2 ± 5.8 years) assessed cognitive function (MoCA) and QOL (OPQoL-Brief). Associations were analyzed using correlation and multiple linear regression (p < 0.05) between the sociodemographic factors and cognitive function (MOCA) to QOL. RESULTS: Participants aged 60-87 years were predominantly Emirati (84.2%), married (77.6%), and living with family (96.7%). Cognitive impairment was present in 69.3% (40.9% mild, 24.8% moderate, 3.6% severe), with the lowest abstraction scores. Mean QOL was 4.21 ± 0.51/5, lowest in social engagement. Cognitive impairment independently predicted lower QOL (β = 0.138; 95%CI: 0.043-0.232; p = 0.001), along with female sex, older age, lower education or income, unmarried status, living alone, and low physical activity. CONCLUSION: Cognitive function is a key determinant of QOL, supporting integrated, person-centered aging strategies in the UAE.