A cross-sectional study on mild cognitive impairment among the elderly in communities of Huangshi City

Objective This study aims at investigating the prevalence, distribution and related risk factors of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) among elderly residents in community of Huangshi City, and providing the scientific basis for MCI prevention and management. Methods The multi-stage random cluster sampling method was used to select the elderly residents (aged 60 years or above) in Huangshi City for prevalence survey. Meanwhile, the cognitive function of elderly were evaluated by montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) Changsha version and activities of daily living (ADL). Results A total of 1 000 valid questionnaire were obtained. Among them, 296 (29.6%) were diagnosed with MCI. The prevalence of MCI was significantly different among the subjects with different education levels, occupations, income, chronic diseases, stroke, alcohol consumption, drinking tea, interests or hobbies, physical exercise and neighbors (all P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that smoking, physical exercise, drinking tea, education levels and stroke were related to MCI. Among them, drinking tea and physical exercise were protective factors, others were risk factors (all P<0.05). Conclusions The prevalence of MCI in the elderly in Huangshi City was higher than average. Drinking tea and physical exercise may reduce the incidence of MCI. The elderly with lower education level, smoking habit, and history of stroke are at high risk of developing MCI, as they will be the focus of MCI prevention. Moreover, suggestions should be put forward to guild elderly reduce smoking, increase tea drinking and take more physical exercise.