High Prevalence of Mild Cognitive Impairment in the Elderly: A Community-Based Study in Four Cities of the Hebei Province, China

Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) has been suggested as a term for a boundary area between normal aging and dementia. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of MCI in the elderly in the Hebei province, China, and explore its related factors. Methods: Participants included 2,601 community-dwelling people aged 60 years or older who resided in the four major cities of the Hebei province. In stage 1 of the study, the Mini-Mental State Examination and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment were administered for screening purposes. In stage 2, the subjects who screened positive were further examined by neurologists. The diagnosis of MCI was made according to Petersen's criteria. Results: The estimated prevalence of MCI was 21.3%. MCI was more prevalent at age 65-69 (28.3%), and its overall rates among men (24.1%) were higher than those of women (19.9%). The higher prevalence of MCI was associated with very old age (80 years old; OR = 2.457,95% CI = 1.471-4.104), male gender (OR = 1.363, 95% Cl = 1.097-1.694), low education level (OR = 2.439, 95% CI = 1.623-3.663), and poor economic status (OR = 2.882, 95% CI = 1.949-4.255). Conclusions: Our findings show a high prevalence of MCI in the elderly urban population in the Hebei province. Gender, education level, and economic status may have an important role in the etiology of MCI. (C) 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel