Metabolic Syndrome Predicts Cognitive Decline in Community-Dwelling Elderly People: A 10-Year Cohort Study

Abstract

Background:Cognitive function has been reported to predict subsequent disability and mortality in elderly people. This study aimed to explore whether metabolic syndrome (MetS) resulted in cognitive decline in community-dwelling elderly people or not, accounting for depression and other risk factors during a long-term follow-up period. Methods and Findings:A community-based cohort of 300 older adults was followed up for 10 years. Relationships among MetS, depressive symptoms, and consequent cognitive dysfunction were explored using a logistic regression. The presence of MetS at the baseline visit was associated with a 2.7-fold increase in the risk of cognitive decline after 10 years, and depressive symptoms were associated with a 2.4-fold increase in the risk of cognitive decline in the community-dwelling elderly people. Conclusions:The long-term outcomes of MetS are associated with a significantly increased risk of cognitive decline among community-dwelling elderly people.

Association of Relative Handgrip Strength and Metabolic Syndrome in Korean Older Adults: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey VII-1

“…The prevalence of MetS is rapidly increasing with advanced age worldwide2–4: 40% of people over 60 years in the US5 and 34.0% and 40.5% in elderly men and women in Korea 6. Since MetS is also known as being related to all-cause of mortality7, type 2 diabetes mellitus8, increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), increased risk of cognitive decline9, and physical function, developing proper public health strategies for the detection, and prevention of MetS should be an urgent priority.…”