Atherosclerosis, its risk factors, and cognitive impairment in older adults

To examine the association of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and its risk factors with cognitive impairment in older adults.

Six hundred and fourteen subjects, aged ≥ 65 years, from one center (2016-2018) underwent clinical, laboratory assessments and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Using regression analysis, the relationship between ASCVD and its risk factors was evaluated in subjects with and without cognitive impairment (MoCA score < 26).

Older age (β = -1.3 per 5 years, 95% CI: -1.7 to -0.9, P < 0.001), history of stroke (β = -1.6, 95% CI: -3.0 to -0.3, P = 0.01), and myocardial infarction (MI; β = -2.2, 95% CI: -3.6 to -0.8, P = 0.003) were independently associated with lower MoCA scores, whereas more education (β = 1.5 per 3 years, 95% CI: 1.1 to 1.9, P < 0.001), higher body mass index (BMI; β = 0.5 per 3 kg/m², 95% CI: 0.0 to 1.0, P = 0.04), higher estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR; β = 0.8 per 15 U, 95% CI: 0.1 to 1.4, P = 0.03), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF; β = 0.4 per 5%, 95% CI: 0 to 0.8, P = 0.04) and statin use (β = 1.3, 95% CI: 0.3 to 2.3, P = 0.01) were associated with a higher MoCA score. Cognitive impairment was independently associated with older age (OR = 1.51 per 5 yrs, 95% CI: 1.28 to 1.79, P < 0.001), less education (OR = 0.55 per 3 years, 95% CI: 0.45 to 0.68, P < 0.001), lower BMI (OR = 0.78 per 3 kg/m², 95% CI: 0.62 to 0.98, P = 0.03) and higher levels of high sensitivity c-reactive protein (hsCRP; OR = 1.08 per 1 mg/L, 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.15, P = 0.01).

Beyond age, cognitive impairment was associated with prior MI/stroke, higher hsCRP, statin use, less education, lower eGFR, BMI and LVEF.