23.7% of the Global Population Affected by Mild Cognitive Impairment

A recent analysis published in BMC Geriatrics has shed light on the widespread occurrence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) across the globe, revealing the key factors contributing to its development. MCI refers to a noticeable yet slight decline in cognitive abilities such as memory and reasoning skills, which is greater than what would typically be expected for a person’s age. However, this decline does not significantly impact daily activities. It is recognized as an intermediary stage between health...

To gauge the global scale of MCI and the factors influencing its prevalence, researchers reviewed 51 high-quality studies.

The highest recorded rate of mild cognitive impairment among the elderly was found in Nepal, with 93% of the elderly population affected. Out of 1,180 studies reviewed, 336 duplicates were removed. After further quality screening, 51 high-quality studies were incorporated into the meta-analysis.

The analysis, which included 287,689 elderly participants, indicated a high degree of variability. As a result, a Random Effect Model was employed in the meta-analysis.

The study revealed that the highest prevalence of MCI in older adults (93%) was found in the research conducted by Pradhan et al. in Nepal, while the lowest prevalence (1.7%) was observed in Khedr et al.'s study in Egypt. The global prevalence rate of MCI among the elderly population stands at 23.7%.

Critical Risk Factors: Education, Age, and Depression

Key factors such as education level, age, and depression have been identified as significant contributors to the development of MCI.

Seven studies have highlighted low educational attainment as a major risk factor for MCI development. Research shows that lower education levels are associated with higher rates of MCI.

Age has also been identified as a critical factor in the onset of MCI, with older age groups showing greater susceptibility. In addition, four studies have found depression to be a significant risk factor for MCI among the elderly. Other contributing factors include low socioeconomic status, history of stroke, hypertension, lack of physical activity, and gender (with women at higher risk).

Insights for Health Policymakers

These findings emphasize that while MCI is progressive, it is not always irreversible. Some individuals may progress to dementia, while others may remain stable or even return to normal cognitive functioning.

Experts recommend non-pharmacological strategies, such as cognitive interventions, lifestyle changes, and preventive measures, as there are no approved pharmaceutical treatments for MCI.

The research provides valuable insights for health policymakers, highlighting the need to raise awareness about MCI among older adults and their caregivers and advocating for regular cognitive screenings as a preventive approach.

Study Limitations

One of the major limitations of the study was the geographic concentration of the research, with most studies being conducted in Asia. Future research should aim to explore MCI across other regions to ensure more comprehensive global data. Additionally, only studies published in English were included, excluding non-English research that lacked English abstracts.

Another limitation lies in the inconsistent diagnostic criteria used across studies to assess MCI. Many studies did not adhere to Petersen’s criteria, leading to variability in how MCI was defined and measured. Additionally, the use of different cognitive assessment tools with varying thresholds resulted in independent interpretations of MCI across the studies.