Receded near point of convergence as a predictor of mild cognitive impairment in the general geriatric population:...

To investigate the relationship between near point of convergence (NPC) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in the general elderly population.

The present report is a part of the Tehran Geriatric Eye Study (TGES): a population-based cross-sectional study conducted on individuals 60 years of age and above living in Tehran, Iran using the multi-stage stratified random cluster sampling method. Cognitive status was assessed using the Persian version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). All study participants underwent complete ocular examination including measurement of uncorrected and best-corrected visual acuity, objective and subjective refraction, cover testing, NPC measurement, and slit-lamp biomicroscopy.

The data of 1190 individuals were analyzed for this report. The mean age of the participants analyzed was 66.82±5.42 (60-92y) and 728 (61.2%) of them were female. Patients with MCI had a significantly more receded NPC compared to subjects with normal cognitive status (10.89±3.58 vs 7.76±2.71 cm, P<0.001). In the multivariable logistic regression model and in the presence of confounding variables, a receded NPC was statistically significantly associated with an increased risk of MCI (odds ratio: 1.334, 95% confidence interval: 1.263 to 1.410, P<0.001). According to receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, a cut point NPC> 8.5 cm (area under the curve: 0.764, P<0.001) could predict the presence of MCI with a sensitivity and specificity of 70.9% and 69.5%, respectively.

A receded NPC can be clinically proposed as a predictor of MCI in older adults. It is recommended that elderly with a receded NPC>8.50 cm undergo detailed cognitive screening for a definite diagnosis of MCI. In this case, the necessary interventions can be carried out to slow down MCI progression to dementia.