Risk factors for cognitive dysfunction amongst patients with cardiovascular diseases

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Neurology
• Gerontology

Background:

• Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) significantly impact cognitive function, necessitating research into associated risk factors.
• Understanding the interplay between CVD, kidney disease, demographic factors, and depressive symptoms is crucial for cognitive health.
• Cognitive impairment is a growing concern in aging populations with chronic health conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between demographic variables, cardiovascular diseases, kidney disease, and depressive symptoms in relation to cognitive function.
• To identify specific risk factors contributing to cognitive dysfunction in patients with established cardiovascular diseases.
• To categorize cognitive impairment severity using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) in a CVD patient cohort.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 628 patients diagnosed with cardiovascular diseases.
• Cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), categorizing participants into preserved cognition, mild cognitive dysfunction (CD), and advanced CD groups.
• Statistical analyses included Cronbach's alpha (Cα) and McDonald's omega (Mω) for reliability, Chi-square, Cramer's V, and correlation analyses to determine associations.

Main Results:

• Mild cognitive dysfunction (CD) was prevalent in 55.2% of the study cohort, with a mean age of 67.95 years.
• A moderate positive correlation was observed between depressive symptoms and the severity of CD (r=0.25, p<0.0001).
• Significant associations were found between CD and older age (≥70 years), lower education, smoking status, renal dysfunction (eGFR 30-59 mL/min/1.73m²), female gender, atrial fibrillation, and stroke history.

Conclusions:

• Mild cognitive dysfunction is common among patients with cardiovascular diseases.
• Risk factors for both mild and advanced cognitive dysfunction include older age, lower educational attainment, non-smoking status, and renal dysfunction.
• Advanced cognitive dysfunction is particularly associated with female gender, a history of atrial fibrillation, and stroke.