Cognitive Functioning in Adults With Somatic Diseases and General Population From a Biopsychosocial Perspective

Test of Memory and Learning (second edition). A standardized test measuring memory functioning and learning abilities. The test includes four basic factors (Verbal Memory, Nonverbal Memory, Complex Memory, and Delayed Recall) and five supplementary factors (Attention/Concentration, Sequential Memory, Free Recall, Associative Recall and Learning). The raw scores obtained in each tested subscale are converted into scores scaled based on age norms, ranging from 1 to 20, where a higher score means better functioning of the examined area, and a lower result means poorer functioning.

Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination-Third Edition. A spectrum of tools that helps to identify and distinguish among disorders of language function and neurologically recognized aphasic syndromes. The test have five functional subsections: 1) Conversational and Expository Speech, 2) Auditory Comprehension, 3) Oral Expression, 4) Reading and 5) Writing. The raw scores obtained in each tested subscale are converted into a percentile scale, ranging from 1 to 100, where a higher score means better functioning of the examined area, and a lower result means poorer functioning.

Author's survey of socio-demographic data, including: gender, month and year of birth, region of residence

Mini-Mental State Examination. A clinical scale used to examine disorders in a patient's cognitive functioning. The questionnaire consists a series of questions allowing the assessment of the following functions: 1) orientation in time and place, 2) attention/concentration, 3) short-term memory (recall), 4) language skills, 5) visual-spatial abilities, 6) ability to understand and follow the instructions. The maximum score that can be obtained on the test is 30 points. 27-30 is a correct result; 24-26 is a cognitive impairment without dementia; 19-23 mean mild dementia; 11-18 is a moderate degree dementia and 0-10 mean profound dementia.

Author's survey of health related data, including: hearing, eyesight, hypertension, atherosclerosis, previous heart attack, diabetes, endocrine diseases, respiratory system diseases, musculoskeletal system diseases, nervous system diseases, kidney diseases, sleep disorders, hospitalizations, procedures under general anesthesia, cancer, medications.

Author's survey of education, including: years of education, level of education, occupation, level of education of the participant's parents.