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Published on: March 11, 2021
A Risk Factor Analysis of Cognitive Impairment in Elderly Patients with Chronic Diseases in a Chinese Population
Ye Li1,2,3,4, Xiang Fang2, Wei-Gang Zhao2
1Department of Gerontology, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China (mainland).
Insights
Cognitive impairment (CI) in elderly patients with chronic diseases is linked to factors like age and cerebral infarction history. Protective factors include immune cells (B and CD8+), daily living activities, and nutritional assessment scores.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neurology
- Immunology
Background:
- Cognitive impairment (CI) is a significant concern in elderly individuals with chronic diseases.
- Identifying risk factors is crucial for timely intervention and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the risk factors associated with cognitive impairment in elderly patients suffering from chronic diseases.
- To differentiate between cognitive impairment and normal cognitive function in this population.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 385 elderly patients with chronic diseases was divided into cognitive impairment (CI) and normal groups.
- Standardized assessments including ADL, GDS, MMSE, MoCA, PG-SGA, and MNA were utilized.
- Logistic regression analysis identified key risk and protective factors for CI.
Main Results:
- Significant differences were observed in age, education, type 2 diabetes, cerebral infarction history, hearing, and eyesight between groups.
- The CI group exhibited higher CD4+ cell counts, more hospital admissions, and elevated GDS scores.
- Immune cells (B and CD8+), ADL, and MNA scores acted as protective factors against CI.
Conclusions:
- Cerebral infarction history, elevated CD4+ cell counts, frequent hospital admissions, higher GDS scores, and advanced age are identified as significant risk factors for CI.
- Understanding these factors can guide clinical practice and preventive strategies for cognitive health in elderly patients with chronic conditions.
Abstract:
BACKGROUND This study analyzed the risk factors of cognitive impairment (CI) in elderly patients with chronic diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS In total of 385 elderly patients with chronic diseases were selected and assigned into CI and normal groups. The activities of daily living (ADL), global deterioration scale (GDS), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA), patient-generated subjective global assessment (PG-SGA), and mini nutritional assessment (MNA) were performed to analyze the differences between the 2 groups. Logistic regression analysis was conducted for risk factors of CI in elderly patients with chronic diseases. RESULTS There were differences in age, education level, type 2 diabetes mellitus, multifocal cerebral infarction, hearing, and eyesight between CI and normal groups. Patients in the CI group showed more CD4+ cells, more admission times, and higher GDS scores than the normal group. Also, MMSE and MoCA scores revealed differences in total score, directive force, attention and calculating ability, language, delayed memory, reading comprehension, writing, and visual-spatial ability between the 2 groups. The number of B and CD8+ cells, ADL, and MNA scores were protective factors, while cerebral infarction history, number of CD4+ cells, admission times, GDS score, and age were risk factors of CI in elderly patients with chronic diseases. CONCLUSIONS Our study provides evidence that cerebral infarction history, number of CD4+ cells, admission times, GDS score, and age are risk factors of CI in elderly patients with chronic diseases.
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