Physical and sociopsychological characteristics of older community residents with mild cognitive impairment as assessed by the Japanese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment.

BACKGROUND

Although mild cognitive impairment (MCI) criteria are disputable, characterizing various aspects of operational MCI (O-MCI) may lead to a better understanding of potential modulators of cognitive decline and contribute to more effective public health strategies. The aim of the study is to examine characteristics of community-dwelling elderly people with MCI assessed using Japanese version of Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-J).

METHODS

A total of 913 community-dwelling Japanese (65-84 years) participated in health examinations in Tokyo, 2011. The MoCA-J, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and other physical and mental tests were conducted. Excluded were those with <24 MMSE scores. Those with <26 in MoCA-J were divided into 2 subgroups, (A) participants independent of instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) and no memory complaints and (B) participants independent of IADL with memory complaints or partially dependent on IADL with/without memory complaints. Those with ≥26 in MoCA-J and subgroup (A) of MCI were the normal controls (NCs, 57.4%), and subgroup (B) of MCI was O-MCI, 36.5%. We compared each variable between NC and O-MCI, using logistic regression analysis, adjusted for gender and age.

RESULTS

The majority of all the groups were independent of IADL. The O-MCI characteristics were increased depressive symptom, worse self-rated health, lower systolic blood pressure, poorer intellectual activities, no hobbies, weaker grip strength, and slower than usual walking speed compared to the NC group.

CONCLUSIONS

Older persons with O-MCI defined by MoCA-J have partially decreased cognition and physical and sociopsychological functions.