Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome in Polypharmacy

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Neurology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR) is a predementia syndrome characterized by slow gait and cognitive complaints.
• While risk factors for MCR exist, few are reversible, highlighting the need to identify modifiable factors.
• Polypharmacy, defined as using five or more regularly scheduled medications, is a known risk factor for cognitive decline.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between polypharmacy and the prevalence of MCR in older adults.
• To determine if polypharmacy is an independent risk factor for MCR.
• To explore potentially modifiable risk factors for dementia.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study utilizing data from the community-based Health and Retirement Study cohort.
• Inclusion of 1119 adults aged 65 years and older.
• MCR defined as cognitive complaints and slow gait without dementia; polypharmacy defined as use of five or more regular medications.

Main Results:

• The prevalence of MCR was 10% in participants with polypharmacy versus 6% in those without.
• Individuals using polypharmacy had 1.8 times the odds of meeting MCR criteria compared to those not using polypharmacy (CI=1.0-3.0, P=.035).
• This association remained significant after adjusting for high-risk medication use.

Conclusions:

• Polypharmacy is associated with MCR in older adults.
• Polypharmacy represents a potentially modifiable risk factor for dementia.
• Further research is warranted to explore interventions targeting polypharmacy to mitigate dementia risk.