Occurrence and risk factors of mild cognitive impairment in the older Chinese population: a 3‐year follow‐up study

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the occurrence and risk factors of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and the conversion rates to dementia in Chinese people over 80 years of age. METHODS: Two hundred and two participants (>80 years old) without dementia were assessed clinically using neuropsychological tests; they were re-assessed at 1, 2, and 3 years. RESULTS: The results revealed that 30.2% of the study population was classified as having MCI at baseline. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that coronary heart disease, hypertension, and stroke were risk factors of MCI. During the 3 years follow-up, the occurrence of MCI increased, and 21.8% of the participants with MCI progressed to dementia. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that in the older elderly, prevention and early treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases may be effective in lowering the risk of MCI. MCI is a high risk factor for dementia.