Prevalence and risk factors of cognitive frailty in patients with cardiovascular disease: A hospital-based cross-sectional study

Abstract

The prevalence of the cognitive frailty is increasing in China. Screening for this condition is crucial for its early detection, prevention, and treatment. This study was designed to explore the incidence of cognitive frailty among hospitalized elderly patients suffering from cardiovascular disease. It also aimed to analyze the factors influencing its occurrence, thereby providing substantial evidence for the development of early prevention and intervention strategies. From March 2022 to October 2023, under cardiovascular care program, the cardiovascular patients (n = 1190) were subjected to standardized questionnaires to collect demographical characteristics. Also, nutritional and psychosocial assessments tests were performed for the enrolled patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate factors associated with cognitive frailty. A total of 1190 (755 males and 435 females) were included. The mean age was 73.36 ± 7.37 years. The prevalence of cognitive frailty in the study population was 33.9% (404/1190). The prevalence of cognitive frailty was 40.7% in men, 22.3% in women. In terms of specific cardiovascular diseases, the prevalence of cognitive frailty was 28.5% in coronary heart disease, 20.5% in arrhythmia, 36.8% in valvular disease, 53% in heart failure, and 13.7% in hypertension. The multivariable analysis showed that age (OR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.10–1.15, P < .001), anxiety (OR = 1.01, 95% CI: 1.03–1.11, P = .001), female sex (OR = 1.83, 95% CI: 1.10–1.16, P < .001), education level (college and above, OR = 0.27, OR = 0.12–0.64, P = .003), polypharmacy (OR = 2.29, 95% CI: 1.62–3.23, P < .001), comorbidity (OR = 1.93 95% CI: 1.37–2.71, P < .010), region (rural, OR = 1.77, 95% CI: 1.36–2.30, P < .001), sarcopenia (OR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.16–2.19, P = .004), and nutritional status (risk of malnutrition, OR = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.17–2.35, P = .004; malnutrition exists, OR = 3.24, 95% CI: 1.85–5.83, P < .001) were independently associated with cognitive frailty. The prevalence of cognitive frailty was 33.9% in hospitalized elderly cardiovascular patients in Guangzhou. heart failure, hypertension, age, anxiety, female sex, education level, polypharmacy, comorbidity, region, sarcopenia, and nutritional status were independent risk factors for cognitive frailty.