[Sometimes, I Also Drink Water… - Alcohol Consumption of People With Mild Cognitive Impairment]

AIM

Risky alcohol consumption increases the risk of dementia for people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The aim of this study is to assess alcohol consumption in people with MCI.

METHODS

Socio-demographics, 12-month prevalence, 30-d prevalence, prevalence of risky consumption (>10 g/20 g/d pure alcohol for women/men) and binge drinking (≥50 g pure alcohol on one occasion) were recorded in 270 people (≥60 years) with MCI from the German RCT "Brainfit-Nutrition" in 2022.

RESULTS

Approximately half of the people with MCI (50.8%) drink at least once a week. About one fifth (17.0%) of participants met the criterion for binge drinking; every third woman (34.8%) and every fifth man (18.6%) crossed the line to risky consumption in the last 30 d.

DISCUSSION

Generally, people with MCI show similar consumption prevalence as the 65+German general population. However, the prevalence of risky consumption in women with MCI is significantly higher.

Examining the effects of multiple chronic conditions on cognitive decline and potential moderators among older Koreans: Findings from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing 2006-2016

BACKGROUND

More than half of older Koreans have two or more chronic conditions, known as multiple chronic conditions (MCC). Successful self-management (e.g., diet control, exercise, taking medications) is critical to prevent worsening of condition or acquisition of additional chronic conditions. This study investigated the effects of MCC on cognitive decline and risk factors in each chronic condition group over a 10-year period.

METHODS

Six waves (2006-2016) of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing were used, featuring 2,198 older adults who were cognitively healthy at baseline. MCC were categorized into three groups: no chronic condition (n=831), one chronic condition (n=813), and two or more chronic conditions (n=554). Linear mixed-effects model analyses were conducted using SAS 9.4.

RESULTS

Individuals with MCC showed greater cognitive decline than those with no or one chronic condition. Different factors were associated with cognition in each group. Among those with no chronic condition, age, income, education, and functional limitation were associated with cognitive decline. Among those with one chronic condition, age, marital status, working status, self-rated health, and arthritis were associated with cognitive decline. Among those with two or more chronic conditions, age, income, marital status, and living arrangement were associated with cognitive decline. Listed factors have p-values less than .05.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings indicate MCC is significantly related with cognitive decline. Risk factors for cognitive decline differed across three chronic condition groups. Self-management programs that target each group can be a promising strategy to mitigate cognitive decline among older Koreans.

Correlates of cognitive impairment in patients with chronic kidney failure on haemodialysis: Systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM

To review and identify correlates of cognitive impairment in patients with chronic kidney failure (CKF) on haemodialysis.

BACKGROUND

The literature is consistent with regard to the high prevalence of cognitive impairment among patients with CKF on haemodialysis and its dependence on multidimensional risk factors.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis based on Cochrane Handbook and PRISMA.

DATA SOURCES

Electronic searches of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library databases and major Korean databases were used. Only original research that assessed correlates of cognitive impairment in patients with CKF on haemodialysis and published between 2004-2016 in English or Korean were included.

REVIEW METHODS

Studies were selected according to the PICOS: Population (chronic kidney failure patients with cognitive impairment on haemodialysis); Intervention (not applicable); Comparison (healthy controls or patients with chronic kidney failure on haemodialysis without cognitive impairment); Outcome (cognitive impairment); and Study design (primarily nonexperimental correlational studies and studies with experimental, quasi-experimental, or pre-post cohort designs). Q-test and I² index were used to examine study homogeneity.

RESULTS

A total of 39 studies were finally included. Age, gender, stroke history, difficulties in activities of daily life, haemoglobin levels, pain, sleep difficulties, and depression were found to be significant correlates of cognitive impairment.

CONCLUSIONS

Nurses should be aware that the risk of cognitive impairment in patients with CKF on haemodialysis can be significantly higher for elders, women and in patients with a stroke, greater difficulties in activities of daily living, lower haemoglobin concentrations, higher pain levels, sleep difficulties, or depression.

Causal Relationships Between Modifiable Risk Factors of Cognitive Impairment, Cognitive Function, Self-Management, and Quality of Life in Patients With Rheumatic Diseases

BACKGROUND

Rheumatic diseases are one of the most common types of chronic conditions that affect cognitive functions.

PURPOSE

To develop and verify a hypothetical model of causal relationships between modifiable risk factors for cognitive impairment, cognitive function, self-management, and quality of life in patients with rheumatic diseases.

METHODS

A hypothetical model was developed on the basis of empirical evidence. The fitness of the model was verified on 210 patients with rheumatic diseases.

RESULTS

The prevalence of cognitive impairment was 49.0%. Smoking, underlying diseases, pain, and fatigue had a significant direct effect on cognitive impairment. Only cognitive impairment had a significant direct effect on self-management. Fatigue, anxiety, depression, and cognitive function had a significant direct effect on quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

The importance of proper management of symptoms and health habits should be emphasized to prevent and delay the progression of cognitive impairment and improve adherence to self-management regimens and quality of life.

Factors affecting cognitive function according to gender in community-dwelling elderly individuals

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to identify the factors affecting the cognitive function of elderly people in a community by gender.

METHODS

We obtained 4,878 secondary data of people aged ≥65 years in 2016 at a dementia prevention center in Gyeyang-gu, Incheon. Data were obtained through Mini-Mental Status Examination optimized for screening dementia and a questionnaire. The data were statistically analyzed using analysis of variance, analysis of covariance, and hierarchical regression.

RESULTS

There were significant differences in cognitive function according to gender, and the differences were significant even when age was controlled, but gender differences disappeared when education was controlled. Age, education, social activities, number of comorbid diseases, and alcohol drinking affected cognitive function through interaction with gender, but interaction with gender disappeared when education was controlled. Regression analysis showed that depression, cohabitant, social activities etc., had a significant impact on both men and women under controlled education and age. In men, the effect of social activities was greater than that of women, and hyperlipidemia had the effect only in women.

CONCLUSIONS

The differences in gender-related cognitive functions were due to differences in gender education period. The period of education is considered to have a great influence on cognitive function in relation to the economic level, occupation, and social activity.

[Correlates of Cognitive Impairment of Rheumatic Disease: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis]

PURPOSE

This study was conducted to synthesis the results of research on relationships of cognitive impairment with multi-dimensional correlates of rheumatic disease through a systematic literature review and meta-analysis.

METHODS

For the study purpose, 23 studies were selected through a systematic process of searching the literature.

RESULTS

The study results showed that among general characteristics, age and education were the variables having a significant relationship with cognitive impairment. Among health risk factors, obesity appeared to have a significant positive relationship with cognitive impairment. For past history, diabetes and hypertension were shown to have a significant positive relationship with cognitive impairment. It was noted also that aPL, one of the physiological factor, had significant association with cognitive impairment. None of the medication related factors had a significant relationship with cognitive impairment. Results showed that among disease related factors, disease activity had the highest relationship with cognitive impairment. Depression, among psychological factors, was the only variable having a significant relationship with cognitive impairment.

CONCLUSION

The findings indicate that the variables strongly impacting on cognitive impairment in rheumatic disease are depression and disease activity.