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Association between pain interference and motoric cognitive risk syndrome in older adults: a population-based cohort
Gege Li1,2, Zijun He3, Jinjing Hu1,2
1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
Objectives:
Motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR) is a pre-dementia condition characterized by subjective complaints in cognition and slow gait. Pain interference has previously been linked with cognitive deterioration; however, its specific relationship with MCR remains unclear. We aimed to examine how pain interference is associated with concurrent and incident MCR.
Methods:
This study included older adults aged ≥ 65 years without dementia from the Health and Retirement Study. We combined participants with MCR information in 2006 and 2008 as baseline, and the participants were followed up 4 and 8 years later. The states of pain interference were divided into 3 categories: interfering pain, non-interfering pain, and no pain. Logistic regression analysis was done at baseline to examine the associations between pain interference and concurrent MCR. During the 8-year follow-up, Cox regression analysis was done to investigate the associations between pain interference and incident MCR.
Results:
The study included 7120 older adults (74.6 ± 6.7 years; 56.8% females) at baseline. The baseline prevalence of MCR was 5.7%. Individuals with interfering pain had a significantly increased risk of MCR (OR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.17-1.95; p = 0.001). The longitudinal analysis included 4605 participants, and there were 284 (6.2%) MCR cases on follow-up. Participants with interfering pain at baseline had a higher risk for MCR at 8 years of follow-up (HR = 2.02, 95% CI = 1.52-2.69; p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
Older adults with interfering pain had a higher risk for MCR versus those with non-interfering pain or without pain. Timely and adequate management of interfering pain may contribute to the prevention and treatment of MCR and its associated adverse outcomes.
Insights
Interfering pain significantly increases the risk of developing motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR), a pre-dementia condition. Managing pain effectively may help prevent MCR and its negative health outcomes in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neurology
- Public Health
Background:
- Motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR) is a pre-dementia condition characterized by cognitive complaints and slow gait.
- Pain interference is a potential risk factor for cognitive decline, but its specific association with MCR is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between pain interference and concurrent Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome (MCR).
- To examine the relationship between pain interference and the incidence of MCR over an 8-year follow-up period.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 7120 older adults (≥65 years) without dementia from the Health and Retirement Study.
- Categorization of pain interference into three states: interfering pain, non-interfering pain, and no pain.
- Use of logistic regression for concurrent MCR and Cox regression for incident MCR over 8 years.
Main Results:
- Baseline MCR prevalence was 5.7%. Individuals with interfering pain showed a significantly increased risk of concurrent MCR (OR=1.51).
- In longitudinal analysis of 4605 participants, those with interfering pain at baseline had a higher risk of developing MCR at 8-year follow-up (HR=2.02).
Conclusions:
- Interfering pain is associated with a higher risk of both concurrent and incident Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome (MCR) in older adults.
- Effective management of interfering pain could be a crucial strategy for MCR prevention and mitigating adverse outcomes.
