The Incidence and Burden of Risk Factors for Mild Cognitive Impairment in Older Rural Chinese Persons

Objective: The study investigated the prevalence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a common cognitive disorder in late life, among rural older residents in China. The associated risk factors were also analyzed. Methods: Two thousand one hundred forty-six older adults aged 60 or more in a rural town of Zhejiang Province, China, were recruited and analyzed. Demographic characteristics were collected by a self-designed questionnaire. Diagnosis of MCI was made by well-trained primary care physicians according to the Petersen criteria. Results: 23.16% of the analyzed sample were diagnosed with MCI, while the prevalence was significantly higher in women, those never married, not employed, and with older age, lower education, diabetes, coronary heart disease and stroke. Stepwise logistic regression indicated that age, education, diabetes, coronary heart disease, and stroke were significant predictive factors of MCI. Conclusion: The prevalence of MCI in rural older residents in China is high, and those with specific demographic characteristics like women, never married, not employed, and with older age, lower education and chronic physical conditions should be more concerned in primary care management. Integrated care approaches managing MCI and comorbid chronic conditions are recommended in future management practices.