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Association of multimorbidity patterns with motoric cognitive risk syndrome among older adults: Evidence from a China
Feiyang Xiong1,2, Yizhong Wang3, Jun Zhu4
1Centre for Health Management and Policy Research, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.
Objectives:
Motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR), a pre-dementia syndrome, is characterized by slow gait and subjective cognitive complaints among older adults. This study assessed the relationship between multimorbidity, its patterns, and MCR.
Methods:
Data for this study were obtained from three waves (2011, 2013, and 2015) of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. Participants who were aged 60 years and older and had complete data at baseline as well as complete data about MCR at follow-up were selected. Patients without MCR at baseline were selected for further analyses. Longitudinal associations between multimorbidity, its patterns, and MCR were examined using a Cox proportional hazards model. Multimorbidity patterns were classified using latent class analysis.
Results:
A total of 4923 respondents were included at baseline, 43.47% of whom had multimorbidity. Additionally, the prevalence of MCR at baseline was 12.61%. After adjusting for covariates, multimorbidity was positively associated with MCR (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.33, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.06-1.68). A higher number of multimorbidity was also significantly associated with an increased risk of developing MCR (HR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.02-1.19). Three multimorbidity patterns were selected: relatively healthy pattern, respiratory pattern, and cardiovascular pattern. Older adults with the cardiovascular pattern were 1.57 times more likely to develop MCR than those with the relatively healthy pattern (HR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.16-2.13). There was no significant difference between the relatively healthy pattern and the respiratory pattern (HR = 1.31, 95% CI = 0.91-1.92).
Conclusions:
MCR is highly prevalent among older Chinese adults. MCR may be exacerbated by multimorbidity. For older adults with multimorbidity (especially cardiovascular multimorbidity), attention should be paid to MCR to achieve early detection, diagnosis, and treatment.
Insights
Motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR) is common in older Chinese adults and linked to having multiple health conditions. Cardiovascular issues significantly increase MCR risk, highlighting the need for early detection in at-risk individuals.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neurology
- Public Health
Background:
- Motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR) is a pre-dementia condition in older adults, characterized by slow gait and cognitive complaints.
- Multimorbidity, the co-occurrence of multiple chronic diseases, is increasingly prevalent in aging populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between multimorbidity, its distinct patterns, and the risk of developing MCR in older Chinese adults.
- To identify specific multimorbidity patterns that may predispose individuals to MCR.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from three waves (2011, 2013, 2015) of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study.
- Employed latent class analysis to identify multimorbidity patterns and Cox proportional hazards models to assess longitudinal associations with MCR.
- Included 4923 participants aged 60 years and older, excluding those with MCR at baseline.
Main Results:
- Multimorbidity was positively associated with an increased risk of MCR (HR=1.33).
- A higher number of chronic conditions correlated with a greater risk of developing MCR (HR=1.10).
- The cardiovascular multimorbidity pattern showed a significantly higher likelihood of MCR development compared to a relatively healthy pattern (HR=1.57).
Conclusions:
- MCR is prevalent among older Chinese adults and may be exacerbated by multimorbidity.
- Cardiovascular multimorbidity presents a notable risk factor for MCR development.
- Early detection and management of MCR are crucial for older adults with multimorbidity, particularly those with cardiovascular conditions.
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