Abstract

Background: Cognition is a bodily function that is decreased by ageing when there is the impairment of memory, judgment, language, and attention. Mild cognitive impairment is a transitional stage between normal aging and dementia Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a measurable cognitive problem that does not disrupt daily activities. It is essential to identify the risk factors for mild cognitive impairment in elderly to possibly prevent high risk of progression to dementia. Early treatment of treatable risk factors delays progression to dementia.
Materials and methodology: In our study, a total of 400 individuals aged above 60 years were included. All the elderly study subjects were divided into two groups, subjects with normal cognition and subjects with mild cognitive impairment(MCI).This was done based on two scores, mini mental status examination (MMSE) and montreal cognitive assessment (MOCA). Elderly subjects with MOCA score < 26 and MMSE score < 27 were diagnosed to have MCI. Elderly subjects with MOCA score ≥ 26 and MMSE score ≥ 27 were diagnosed as subjects with normal cognition. As depression was a common cause for pseudo dementia/cognitive impairment, elderly subjects with depression were excluded using geriatric depression scale (shorter version). Relevant laboratory investigations were done to identify the risk factors for developing cognitive impairment.
Results: In the present study out of 400 elderly subjects, 260(65%) of them had normal cognition. 140(35%) of them had mild cognitive impairment. Subjects with MCI had prior history of diabetes mellitus (33.6%), hypertension (30%), ischemic heart disease (18.6%), Cerebrovascular accident (17.1%), renal disease (8.5%), hypothyroidism (20.7%) as compared to subjects with normal cognition.P <0.0001.
Conclusion: Significant risk factors for development of MCI were diabetes mellitus, hypertension, IHD, CVA, hypothyroidism, vitamin B 12 deficiency, dyslipidemia, anemia, hyponatremia and renal failure. It is even more pertinent and critically important to evaluate elderly for mild cognitive impairment, since reversible risk factors can be intervened by appropriate treatment. This constitutes an important preventive strategy to the progression of dementia which creates both a physical and an economic burden.