Cardiometabolic and panvascular multimorbidity associated with motoric cognitive risk syndrome in older adults

Motoric cognitive risk (MCR) syndrome as a pre-dementia syndrome often co-occurring with chronic health conditions. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of MCR and its association with cardiometabolic and panvascular multimorbidity among older people living in rural China.

This population-based study included 1450 participants who were aged ≥ 60 years (66.2% women) and who undertook the second wave examination of the Confucius Hometown Aging Project in Shandong, China when information to define MCR was collected. Data were collected through in-person interviews, clinical examinations, and laboratory tests. Cardiometabolic and panvascular multimorbidity were defined following the international criteria. MCR was defined as subjective cognitive complaints and slow gait speed in individuals free of dementia and functional disability. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine the associations of MCR with multimorbidity.

MCR was present in 6.3% of all participants, and the prevalence increased with advancing age. Cerebrovascular disease, ischemic heart disease, heart failure, and increased serum cystatin C were associated with increased likelihoods of MCR (multivariable-adjusted odds ratio range: 1.90-3.02, P < 0.05 for all). Furthermore, there was a dose-response relationship between the number of cardiometabolic diseases and panvascular diseases and the likelihood of MCR. The multivariable-adjusted odds ratio (95% CI) of MCR associated with cardiometabolic and panvascular multimorbidity were 2.47 (1.43-4.26) and 3.85 (2.29-6.47), respectively.

Older adults with cardiometabolic and panvascular multimorbidity are at a higher likelihood of MCR. These findings may have implications for identifying older adults at pre-dementia state as targets for early preventive interventions to delay dementia onset.