Development and validation of a frailty risk model for patients with mild cognitive impairment

Yuyu Cui1, Zhening Xu1, Zhaoshu Cui1

  • 1School of Medicine, Yan'an University, Yan'an, 716000, China.

Scientific Reports
|January 30, 2025
PubMed

Insights

A new nomogram effectively predicts frailty risk in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Key factors include age, ADL score, depression, grip strength, and chronic conditions, aiding early intervention for better health outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Neurology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is associated with an increased risk of frailty.
  • Early identification of frailty in MCI patients is crucial for timely interventions.
  • Existing frailty prediction models may not be optimized for the MCI population.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and validate a predictive model for frailty risk in individuals with MCI.
  • To identify key predictors of frailty in the MCI population.
  • To establish a user-friendly nomogram for clinical application.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional analysis of nationally representative CHARLS data (2013-2015).
  • Development of a nomogram using LASSO and multivariable logistic regression.
  • Validation of the nomogram using ROC curves, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis.

Main Results:

  • A total of 3,196 MCI patients were analyzed; 25.1% exhibited frailty.
  • Independent predictors identified: age, ADL score, depression, grip strength, CVD, liver disease, pain, hearing, and vision.
  • The nomogram demonstrated robust predictive performance with AUCs of 0.810 (training) and 0.791 (validation).

Conclusions:

  • The developed nomogram is an effective tool for predicting frailty in MCI patients.
  • The model facilitates early clinical interventions, potentially reducing frailty incidence.
  • Improved frailty prediction can enhance long-term health outcomes for individuals with MCI.