Cognitive status and health-related quality of life for medical students

Abstract

Purpose of the study. To study the comparative state and variability of cognitive capabilities, the degree of their correlation with the subjective and objective state of health among students of a medical university. Materials and methods. The study was carried out during the year from 01.12.2018 to 01.12.2019 at the Far Eastern Federal University and the Pacific State Medical University. The sample size is 394 respondents. The response rate is 91.9%. The state of co‑cognitive functions was determined according to the Montreal scale for assessing cognitive functions (IOC‑test; MoCA, Montreal Cognitive Assessment). For the self‑assessment of the quality of life, the “Brief form of self‑assessment of the quality of life related to health MOS SF‑36” (MOS SF – Medical Outcomes Study‑Short Form) was used. To collect information on social, economic, physiological, behavioral status, a specialized questionnaire Pozdeeva (2008) and standard medical documentation were used. Results. The total indicator of the assessment of cognitive functions in students was 26.1 points, in senior students it was slightly higher (26.8/25.5, p≥0.05). It was found that in the learning process, students significantly increase the level of executive functions (3.1/3.8, p≤0.05), attention, concentration and working memory (4.2/4.8, p≤0.05). The final assessment of physical health among primary students was 69 points, for senior students – 72 points. The indicator of mental health among students of the initial period of study was estimated at 52 points, among graduates – at 62 points (p≤0.05). The composite indicator of the quality of life associated with health was equal to 60 points for 1–3 year students, 67 points for 4–6 year students, (p≤0.05). The students of both age cohorts had a high incidence of chronic somatic pathology, the comorbidity index was 0.6, however, the number of visits to the doctor among senior students was significantly lower, in junior years (3.2/2.1, p≤0.05). The total indicator of the students' cognitive function was most strongly associated with physical activity (r=0.85, p≤0.05) and the state of physical health (r=0.73, p≤0.05). Conclusions. Cognitive functions in medical students correspond to normal values. The activity of executive functions, attention, concentration and working memory significantly improves in the process of studying at a medical university. Medical students value their health‑related quality of life highly, but most of them have chronic medical conditions. Senior students assess their psychological status more highly by optimizing the emotional component. The total indicator of the cognitive function of students is interrelated with the frequency of physical activity, the state of physical health, quality of nutrition, self‑assessment of mental health and psychological comfort.