Association between peripheral platelet markers and motoric cognitive risk syndrome: a cross-sectional analysis of data from the WCHAT study

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Objectives To investigate the association between peripheral platelet indices and motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR). Design A cross-sectional analysis using baseline data from the West China Health and Aging Trend (WCHAT) study. Setting Community settings across several ethnically diverse regions of western China. Participants From an initial pool of 7536 community-dwelling adults in the WCHAT study, 4080 participants were included in the final analysis after applying exclusion criteria. Primary and secondary outcome measures The primary outcome was MCR, defined by the concurrent presence of subjective cognitive complaints and slow gait speed (≥1 SD below sex- and age-stratified mean) in the absence of dementia or mobility disability. The exposures were platelet indices, including platelet count (PLT), mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width (PDW), platelet-large cell ratio (P-LCR) and platelet crit (PCT). Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the associations between platelet indices and MCR. Restricted cubic spline analysis was performed to explore non-linear associations. Results Among the 4080 participants, 320 (7.84%) met the diagnostic criteria for MCR. After adjustment for potential confounders, higher PLT (OR=1.17, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.32, p=0.007) and PCT (OR=1.13, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.26, p=0.046) were associated with greater odds of MCR. Conversely, higher PDW (OR=0.85, 95% CI 0.75 to 0.97, p=0.014) and P-LCR (OR=0.87, 95% CI 0.77 to 0.98, p=0.026) were associated with lower odds of MCR. Furthermore, a nonlinear relationship was identified for PDW and MCR (p<0.05), with a threshold at 13.40%. Conclusions Specific platelet indices are significantly associated with MCR. Further prospective studies are warranted to confirm these associations and explore the underlying mechanisms. Trial registration number China Clinical Trial Center (ChiCTR1800018895).