Difference in nutritional risk between mild cognitive impairment group and normal cognitive function elderly group

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Nutritional Science
• Cognitive Neurology

Background:

• Nutritional status is vital for cognitive health in the elderly.
• Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) affects a significant portion of the aging population.
• Understanding the relationship between MCI and nutritional risk is essential for preventative care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and compare nutritional risk between elderly individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and those with normal cognitive function (NCF).
• To identify potential associations between cognitive status and nutritional screening outcomes in a community-dwelling elderly population.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study involving 490 elderly participants (253 MCI, 237 NCF) aged 60-90.
• Data collection included demographics, medical history, depression screening (K-SGDS), and the Nutritional Screening Initiative (NSI) checklist.
• Cognitive function was assessed using a battery of tests (e.g., digit span, K-BNT, AVLT), alongside physiological measurements (BP, glucose, lipids, BMI) and ApoE genotyping.

Main Results:

• Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that MCI was significantly associated with moderate or high nutritional risk (OR=1.13, 95% CI=1.01-1.26), even after adjusting for covariates.
• This association remained significant after controlling for age, sex, education, and depression scores.

Conclusions:

• Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in the elderly population is associated with an increased risk of malnutrition or poor nutritional status.
• Routine nutritional risk screening should be integrated into comprehensive geriatric assessments for early detection and intervention.