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A Machine Learning Approach to Design an Efficient Selective Screening of Mild Cognitive Impairment
12:18

A Machine Learning Approach to Design an Efficient Selective Screening of Mild Cognitive Impairment

Published on: January 11, 2020

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Multimorbidity and Risk of Mild Cognitive Impairment

Maria Vassilaki1,2, Jeremiah A Aakre2, Ruth H Cha2

  • 1Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.

Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
|August 28, 2015
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Having multiple chronic conditions significantly increases the risk of developing mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia in older adults. Preventing chronic diseases may help delay or prevent cognitive decline.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Neurology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Multiple chronic conditions, or multimorbidity, are prevalent in aging populations.
  • The relationship between multimorbidity and cognitive decline, specifically mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia, requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the association between multiple chronic conditions and the risk of incident mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective cohort study of 2,176 cognitively normal individuals from the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging.
  • Electronic health records were used to identify chronic conditions. Multimorbidity was defined as two or more chronic conditions.
  • Cox proportional hazards models were employed to analyze the association between multimorbidity and MCI/dementia risk.

Main Results:

  • 86.6% of participants had multimorbidity.
  • Multimorbidity was associated with a higher risk of MCI or dementia (HR = 1.38).
  • The risk was greater with four or more conditions (HR = 1.61) and in men with multimorbidity (HR = 1.53).

Conclusions:

  • Multiple chronic conditions are linked to an increased risk of MCI and dementia in older adults.
  • This suggests that multiple underlying etiologies may contribute to cognitive decline.
  • Preventing chronic diseases could be a strategy to delay or prevent MCI and dementia.
Keywords:
dementiamild cognitive impairmentmultimorbidity

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