The correlation between Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment parameters and cognitive impairment in elderly inpatients

Abstract Background: Cognitive impairment is common in elderly inpatients and is associated with many diseases and leads to adverse outcomes. However, there is currently no reversible treatment, so preventing cognitive impairment is critical. Objective: Statistical methods were used to explore the correlation between the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment and cognitive impairment in elderly inpatients. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 168 hospitalized patients aged 60 years and older from the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment database was conducted. Develop a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment checklist to screen for general characteristics, the ability of daily life, geriatric depression, frailty, nutritional status, anthropometric measurements (body mass index, body fat percentage, and lower limb muscle mass), and blood biochemical markers (hemoglobin, albumin, prealbumin, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, and fasting blood glucose). Mini-mental State Examination was also conducted for each elderly patient to screen for cognitive impairment. Multiple linear logistic regression analysis was used to determine the correlation between Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment parameters and geriatric cognitive impairment. Results: Finally, there were 26 patients (15.48%) in the cognitive impairment group with a median age of 89.00 years, and 142 patients (84.52%) in the normal cognitive function group with a median age of 79.00 years. Patients in the cognitive impairment group were older (P<0.001), had poorer ability of daily life (P<0.001), and had higher low density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations (P=0.002) compared with the control group. In the multiple linear logistic regression analysis, Mini-mental State Examination scores was inversely associated with age (β=-0.089, P<0.001), activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living scores (β=-0.146, P<0.001), and low density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations (β=-0.906, P<0.001). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment parameters such as age, the ability of daily life, and low density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations are associated with cognitive impairment. Mini-mental State Examination scores were inversely correlated with age, activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living scores, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations. Improving the ability to perform daily living and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations may help prevent cognitive impairment.