Identifying Prevalence and Risk Factors for Mild Cognitive Impairment in Adults Presenting for Urological Evaluation

To examine mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in a young and older adult urology population, and which external factors were associated with diminished cognitive status at baseline.

We enrolled patients >18 years of age presenting to a large, urban tertiary care center for a wide variety of urologic complaints. Cognitive status was determined by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) screening test. A score of 26-30 on the MoCA is considered cognitively intact, whereas <26 indicates MCI. Patient charts were retrospectively reviewed; a backwards-stepwise logistic regression was constructed to compare MCI with potential risk factors.

One hundred ninety-seven patients were included. There were 10/33 (30%) patients aged 18-40 who had MCI. Moreover, 32/68 (47%) patients aged 41-64 had MCI. Of older adults age 65+, MCI was seen in 65/96 (68%) patients. Factors associated with MCI in age group 41-64 included opioid use. Patients with stone disease were less likely to demonstrate MCI, when compared to other general categories of urologic chief complaints. For patients in age group 65+, associations with MCI included a cancer-related chief complaint, increased age, depressive symptoms, and less education. There were no significant associations with MCI in age group 18-40.

These results demonstrate a significant prevalence of MCI in an adult urology population and factors that may be associated with its prevalence. We believe that this study lays the groundwork for urology providers to be able to identify patients who may have MCI at baseline.